Hector R. Ramirez M.D.

Born in Tecpan, Guatemala, to Hector Manual Ramirez and Blanca Colon de Ramirez. Hector had two brothers, Guillermo and Arturo, both deceased. He began to show an interest in medicine at an early age by practicing surgeries and procedures on his stuffed animals. Hector graduated from Liceo Guatemala in 1956, and went on to begin studying medicine at the Universidad de San Carlos de Boromeo, Guatemala, graduating on March 25, 1966. The next day, on March 26, he married Maria Waleska Bianchi. Hector and Waleska and their 18 month old son, Hector, Jr., moved to the United States in 1968. Hector did his internship and first year of residency at the Albert B. Chandler Hospital, University of Kentucky. He then transferred to the Medical College of Ohio, where he finished his residency and fellowship in Vascular Surgery and became the first Vascular Surgeon to graduate from the Medical College of Ohio. Hector also had an interest in art and painting. In school, he would assist his friends studying architecture with their drawings. He took a couple of courses at Lourdes College where he learned to use watercolors. While working in his medical practice, he served on the board of the American College of International Physicians for two years. Then he became President of the Foreign Graduate Physicians of Northwest Ohio, a position he held for two years. Hector was also a member of the Rotary Club of Maumee, OH, for several years and served as President of the club from 1987-88. While a member of Rotary, he received two awards for services to the community. At the same time, he and his wife, Waleska, worked hard for the people in Guatemala and with the support and help of the Maumee Rotary and Rotary International, founded an orphanage for girls in Mazatenango, Guatemala, which is still open and functioning today. Very early in his practice he found himself getting involved in medical missions. At the very beginning to Haiti and then to the Dominican Republic. After his stroke he worked closely with Dr. Richard Paat, and together they started a medical mission to Guatemala, which Dr. Paat continues today. Dr. Ramirez and his wife have 5 children; the oldest was born in Guatemala and the other four in Toledo, Ohio. In time they all got married and produced 11 grandchildren, of which Hector and Waleska are very proud of. Our deepest sympathy goes to his children and grandchildren, Hector Jr. and his daughter Taylor; Pablo and Ann Forbes-Ramirez and their children Logan, Melina and Caleb; Luis and his wife Traci and their children Tucker, Maya and Sonia; Ana Belongea and her husband Chad and their three daughters Caitlyn, Alesandra and Anaka, and Lisa Kemper and her husband Brian and their little boy, Fitzgerald. Friends and family may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd., on Tuesday from 2- 8 pm. where a Scripture Service will take place at 7 pm. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 am. at St. John XXIII, Perrysburg, where the family will receive visitors beginning at 10:00 am. Interment will be private. Memorials may take the form of contributions to Friends of Guatemala, Maumee Rotary Foundation, or to the church.

Tributes

Hector R. Ramirez M.D.

July 18, 1939 - December 4, 2015