Rafael was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the only child of Rafael Correa and Rosa Coronas. Rafael was a graduate of Manhattan College (Class of 1955), and St. Louis University School of Medicine (Class of 1959). He married the love of his life, Frances L. Becker of Kimmswick, Missouri in July 1958.
His career spanned many facets within the healthcare industry, from private practice, to public health and clinical research. He served in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps for 20 years, with duty stations at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station and at the National Naval Medical Center. He worked to develop novel antimicrobial agents and vaccines, with a particular focus on tropical diseases. He also conducted research at the National Institutes of Health (Allergy and Infectious Diseases) before moving into pharmaceutical research.
After retiring in 1995, he and Frances built a cozy life in The Woodlands, Texas. They enjoyed attending the Houston Symphony and Houston Opera and traveled all over the world. They continued to mentor and support their children and grandchildren, and renewed connections with family in St. Louis and Puerto Rico. After Frances died in 2012, Rafael mourned her loss greatly, but eventually was able to find peace and surrender to God’s will.
Rafael is survived by his eight children: Maria (Mike) Mock, Rosalinda (Mark) Goleb, Rafael (Deb) Correa, Teresa Morilla, Isabela (Adrian, d. 2012) Castellanos, Luisa (Dennis) Buzard, Ricardo Correa, and Angela (Andrew) Correa de Yalowitz. He will also be remembered with love by 29 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and many dear family members in Missouri and Puerto Rico, as well as by colleagues and lifelong friends.
There will be a viewing at Heiligtag-Lang-Fendler Funeral Home in Arnold, Missouri from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, August 22. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 23 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Imperial, Missouri, with the burial taking place at St. Joseph Cemetery on Montebello Road in Imperial immediately after the Mass. Following the burial, there will be a reception in the Corpus Christi Center at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
To offer your condolences or obtain directions, please visit heiligtagfuneralhome.com
or call 636-296-5272. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the School Sisters of Notre Dame by visiting them online at ssndcentralpacific.org/ and clicking the green ‘Give’ button.
May perpetual light shine upon him, Lord.
