Dr. Roberta L. “Robbie” Babbitt, director of program and research development for behavioral psychology at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and a longtime fan of the theater, died of undetermined causes Aug. 13 while on vacation in Southern California.

The Pikesville resident was 56.

Dr. Babbitt was hiking with her family at Joshua Tree National Park in the Southern California desert when she passed out and could not be revived.

“We are waiting for the results of an autopsy as to the cause of death,” said her husband of 19 years, Nathan Rosen, who teaches English and drama at Atholton High School in Columbia.

The daughter of Bernard Babbitt, a pharmacist, and Marcia Babbitt, a bookkeeper, Roberta Lynne Babbitt was born in Wyncote, Pa., and raised in Philadelphia.

After graduating from Cheltenham High School in 1977, she earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and music from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., in 1981.

Two years later, she obtained a master's degree in music therapy and behavioral analysis from Columbia University Teachers College.

In 1984, she received a master's degree in instructional practices in special education, and in 1985 obtained another master's degree in applied behavior analysis and research — and later a doctorate in the same subject — all from Columbia University Teachers College.

After working with synagogue youth in Atlanta and Baltimore, Dr. Babbitt came to Kennedy Krieger Institute in 1986 as a postdoctoral fellow.

She completed a fellowship in applied behavior analysis and developmental disabilities and behavioral pediatrics at Kennedy Krieger, and also worked in the department of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr. Babbitt joined the staff of Kennedy Krieger's department for community programs in 1987 as a project coordinator and staff psychologist supervisor in the department of behavioral psychology.

From 1987 to 1990, she served as an instructor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and was director of outpatient services for Kennedy Krieger's department of behavioral psychology from 1989 to 1990.

At Kennedy Krieger, she was also director of the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program and the Outpatient Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic from 1990 to 1997.

“To this she … brought needed strength and growth, but also a research agenda,” Dr. Michael Cataldo, director of Kennedy Krieger's department of behavioral psychology, wrote in a memo to staff announcing her death.

He said Dr. Babbitt published “seminal papers on a program of analysis and treatment that was both novel and sorely needed.”

In 1997, she was named director of research development for the behavioral psychology department at Kennedy Krieger, a position she held until 2010. She also directed the behavior training program from 1998 to 2000, and since 2001 directed the research pre-review team.

She was an adjunct professor for graduate degree programs at Goucher College since 1998, and also for special-education programs at Coppin State University since 1999.

At her death, she was an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Hopkins School of Medicine.

Dr. Babbitt was a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis, the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy and the Society of Behavioral Medicine.

“She always thought of herself as very shy when it came to meeting new people, but she really was very warm, friendly and bright,” her husband said. “She was also well-liked by the staff because she was thinking up fun things to do for team-building.”

She was active in community theater and performed in numerous plays.

“She'd help me with my plays and even was a choreographer on one of them,” her husband said.

She and her husband served as ushers at the Hippodrome Theatre and Center Stage. She enjoyed attending Broadway shows.

Dr. Babbitt was an active member of Congregation Chevrei Tzedek in Northwest Baltimore, where she maintained sacred texts and helped with various aspects of youth work.

An accomplished cook, she was known for creating special dinners for Jewish holidays reflecting American, Israeli, Egyptian and Yemeni traditions.

Funeral services were held Aug. 21 at Sol Levinson & Bros. in Pikesville.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Zachary Rosen, a freshman at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and Daniel Rosen, a freshman at Towson University; a daughter, Brina Rosen, a junior at Carver Center for Arts and Technology; a stepson, Sam Rosen of Baltimore; two stepdaughters, Mariell Emet of Warwick, R.I., and Alyssa Rosen of Washington; a brother, David Babbitt of Wyncote, Pa.; and two grandchildren. An earlier marriage to David Bockman ended in divorce.

frasmussen@baltsun.com