Dr. Alfonso Ruiz Martinez of Bogota, Colombia, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2014 surrounded by his loving family in Tampa, Florida. He is survived by his wife, Cecilia; his children, Yvette (husband Edgard), Tatiana, Alfonso & Ivan (wife Gabrielle); and his grandchildren, Giovanna, Edgard, Alexandra, Daniela, Isabella, and Ivan Jr. He was married to his beloved Cecilia, or as he called her “Pata,” for 46 years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, remembered for all by the laughter, joy and advice he shared with those around him. The books, laboratories, oil paintings, and stain glass artifacts he created during his life time are reminders of his passion for living, for the beauty he saw in places and people he encountered, and for the dedication he put into anything he touched.
He dedicated his life to his family and his work, demonstrated by the love and success that surrounded him throughout his lifetime. We could fill pages and pages with books he wrote, courses he taught, diseases he eradicated, recognition and awards received, but his true legacy has been the love, respect and laughter he spread throughout the world, including mentees, family and friends. He will live in the hearts and memories of everyone he encountered, as an inspiration, a ray of sun. He will also live on in the life of so many others he didn’t meet, as his commitment to public health has saved many lives and future generations throughout the world. He dedicated 27 years of work to the World Health Organization, 3 years at the Inter American Development Bank, and 10 years at the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario.
Alfonso was an avid care-giver of orchids. What these rare flowers represent, encompass the meaning of his life; love for rare beauty, refinement, a symbol of perfection, a gift which shows that the heir is the most valued in one’s life.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to the American Brain Tumor Association. You can donate by following the link below:
A viewing will be held on Monday, May 5, 2014 at 5pm at the Gonzalez Funeral Home located at 7209 N Dale Mabry, Tampa, FL 33614.
The service and reception will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 2:00 pm at St. Paul Catholic Church at 12708 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, FL 33618.
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El Dr. Alfonso Ruiz Martinez oriundo de la ciudad de Bogotá, Colombia, fallecio el pasado viernes, 2 de Mayo del 2014, rodeado de su querida familia en la ciudad de Tampa, Florida.
Alfonso contrajo nupcia hace 46 años con su adorada “Pata” como la llamaba cariñosamente a su esposa Cecilia. Amoroso hijo, esposo, padre, abuelo, hermano y amigo de sus amigos, fácil recordarlo siempre sonriendo, lleno de alegría y felicidad. Sus sabios consejos no faltaron para todos los que lo conocimos.
Disfrutaba mucho leyendo, escribiendo ensayos, tesis, libros, todo lo que emprendía lo hacía con gran entusiasmo y pasion, desde montar un laboratorio en un país lejano, como pintar sobre un óleo, crear un precioso vitral o cuidar sus bellas orquídeas. Todo lo anterior como reflejo de su amor y pasión por la vida, al igual que la dedicación puesta en todo lo que emprendía.
Podríamos llenar páginas y páginas mencionando sus obras en salud pública, medio ambiente, patología y los cursos dictados por el mundo en prestigiosas universidades. Importante mencionar las enfermedades que ayudo a erradicar en el hemisferio, al igual que sus innumerables reconocimientos y premios.El verdadero legado fue su amor a la familia y su compromiso a la investigaci[on de la salud pública. Gracias a esta, dejara una gran huella para muchas generaciones
Vivira en nuestros corazones y en la memorias de las personas que tuvimos el placer de disfrutarlo. Sera una inspiración, un rayo de sol.
Su esposa Cecilia, sus hijos Yvette, Tatiana, Alfonso, Ivan Dario, Edgard, Gabrielle; y sus nietos Giovanna, Edgard Alfonso, Alexandra, Daniela, Isabella, e Ivan Jr, agradecemos todas sus muestras de cariño y la compañia en este momento tan dificil en nuestras vidas.
agradecemos no ewnviar flores, por favor hacer sus donaciones a: American Brain Tumor Association en la siguiente dirección:
Su velacion será el Lunes, 5 de Mayo 2014 a las 5pm en el González Funeral Home, localizado en el 7209 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, FL 33614.
Misa de cuerpo presente el Martes, 6 de Mayo 2014, a las 2:00 pm en St. Paul Catholic Church en el 12708 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, FL 33618.
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