Bernardo Enrique Arnaez Vargas

From an early age, Bernardo always knew he wanted to be a pediatrics doctor. His youngest sister, Luisa Fernanda, died before she turned one. Bernardo never forgot her and she inspired his dream to be able to care for little babies. Despite growing up in the poverty of the infamous La Victoria, a rough, working-class district, his drive never wavered. Through tirelessly hard work and study, he passed the rigorous entrance exams to the prestigious University de San Marcos—the oldest university in North and South America—on his first attempt (no mean feat.) He graduated from the university’s school of medicine in 1968. Then in 1971, he came to New York City to continue his studies at Cornell University where he completed his neonatology fellowship in 1977.

That same year he arrived in Evansville, Indiana and joined Dr. Myles Grant, the NICU nurses and respiratory therapists to build the neonatology department of St.Mary’s Hospital. Dr. Arnaez worked at St.Mary’s from 1977 until 2013. For some thirty-six years, he took care of hundreds of the tiniest and sickest premature babies. His work to provide the best care available anywhere for his preemies touched inestimable numbers of families and will last for generations to come.

Dr.Arnaez Vargas did not have many hobbies outside of work. He read wide and far, but had a special fondness for French culture, in particular Paris and its Impressionists painters, and French New Wave cinema. Along with English and Spanish, he spoke French which stunned his kids during their one European holiday.

He was a true Trekkie. He amassed such a large collection of Star Trek books that he was motivated (by his loving wife) to donate it to the local library, but promptly built another sizable collection. He believed that ST:TNG outdid the original. But it would be hard to overstate that he was happiest in the NICU, rounding on his preemies.

Dr. Arnaez Vargas was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Miguel Arnaez Vargas.

He is survived by his wife, Maria C. Zapata de Arnaez; children: Gerardo E. Arnaez (Jennifer), Ivan A. Arnaez (Laura), Michelle L. Arnaez; 3 grandsons: Ian, Maconnell and Jackson; 3 granddaughters: Lauren, Kirsten, and Scarlett; and his siblings: Blais, Antonio, and Fernando.

Visitation will take place on Saturday January 29, 2022, 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Alexander Funeral Home - Newburgh Chapel. Celebration of Life for family TBA at a later date.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com. While flowers are welcome the family also asks you to consider donating to www.nicuawareness.org.