Mallavarapu S. Rao

Dr. Rao was born and raised in India, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, on the banks of the Krishna River. After completing his initial schooling, Dr. Rao received his medical degree from Andhra Medical College in the 1960s. He was an assistant professor of medicine at Guntur Medical College, and did his medical internship in Kakinda, India from 1964-1966.

Dr. Rao later set his sights on venturing to America. It was said in 1965 by an Indian official recommending his trip to America that Dr. Rao was a “gentlemen by nature,” “very kind towards his patients,” “sincere to achieve success in all his assignments,” “appreciates very much the American way of life,” and “will prove an asset...to the hospital to which he is employed.” That view proved true in every way.

Dr. Rao immigrated to America in 1966. Once here, he embarked on a forty-plus year medical career serving a large patient population in the St. Louis metropolitan area and beyond.

That career started at Deaconess Hospital and St. Louis County Hospital, followed by a cardiology fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis. Over nearly the next four decades, as an internist and cardiologist, Dr. Rao used his astute clinical skills and vast experience to thoughtfully care for his patients. He treated veterans at the VA Hospital in St. Louis, while building his solo private practice. He was a member of the medical staff at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, as well as other local facilities. He was an active member of the American College of Cardiology, American College of Physicians, and locally, the St. Clair County and Illinois State Medical Societies. He was a fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC) and the American College of Physicians (FACP). Despite his individual accolades and success, he took pride in how loved he was by his patients. He considered his patients an extension of his own family and dedicated his life to providing them with the best medical care.

In his later years, while still working nearly full time, he made a little more time to enjoy travel, continue his medical education, absorb classical and jazz music, and learned to play the piano. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and his granddaughter, Abigail Rao. Surviving to cherish his memory, are his loving wife of over 46 years, Lioba R., nee Kiefer, Rao, of Belleville, Illinois; his children, Wil (Robyn) Rao, of Naperville, Illinois, Dr. Anita Rao, of Chicago, Illinois and Dr. Peter (Dr. Faye) Rao, of Dothan, Alabama; his grandchildren, Ethan, Catherine, Henry, and Juliana. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, as well as other relatives.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to all of the medical staff and caregivers, who compassionately cared for Dr. Rao.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to Washington University, Cardiovascular Research Fund, in care of Erica Lebo, Medical Alumni Development, 7425 Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105-2161, or online at https://gifts.wustl.edu/med/, or to Operation Food Search, 6282 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63130-3300 or online at www.operationfoodsearch.org.

Condolences may also be expressed online at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 20, 2016, at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held privately.