Raymond Gasper Tronzo

Raymond G. Tronzo, M.D., a highly respected orthopedic surgeon and longtime resident of the Palm Beach area, died peacefully on Thursday, October 15, 2015 at the Charles W. Gerstenberg Hospice Center in West Palm Beach. Born in Punxsutawney, PA on September 28, 1928, he was the youngest of ten children born to Gasper and Bellina Tronzo. Dr. Tronzo graduated from Penn State University and served in the U.S.Army Air Corp during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return, he attended and graduated from Jefferson Medical College Class of 1957.

His professional career was multifaceted and he was widely recognized as a leading educator, innovator, inventor, author, and private orthopedic practitioner. Some of his accomplishments include pioneering the successful biological total hip replacement system of microporosity for bone growth stabilization in the late 1960’s; author and editor of ‘Surgery of the Hip Joint’ first and second edition as well as numerous articles and papers; serving as an Associate Professor of Orthopedics, University of Pennsylvania; Clinical Professor of Orthopedics and later a Professor Emeritus, University of Miami Medical College; and private practitioner as staff Orthopedic Surgeon, Good Samaritan Hospital, West Palm Beach, FL. Dr. Tronzo spent a lifetime improving orthopedic surgery and received numerous recognitions as a pioneer in the specialty of hip replacement including being honored with the Raymond G. Tronzo, M.D. Orthopedic Lectureship at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.

His personal life was equally passionate as expressed through his love of travel, photography, hunting, boating, and golf.

Dr. Tronzo was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and is survived by his beloved wife and soulmate Diana Simmons Tronzo of West Palm Beach, FL; two sons, Craig Tronzo (Janis) of Wilmington, NC, and Les Tronzo (Ginger) of Wilmington, DE; two grandchildren, Douglas Tronzo and Victoria Tronzo; two sisters, Geraldine Dunkle and Theresa Uvena; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service including military honors will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2015 with a reception in the Parish Hall following the service at Bethesda-By-The Sea Episcopal Church, 141 South County Road., Palm Beach, FL 33480, with The Rev. James Harlan, Rector, officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dr. Tronzo’s memory to: Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, payable to Penn State University, 104 IST Building, University Park, PA 16802; or to a Charity of your choice.