Walter Jose Orihuela M.D.

Walter Jose Orihuela, M.D., a distinguished, admired and compassionate general surgeon who loved thoracic surgery and helping improve the lives of everyone he touched, died on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at the age of 88. He was born on April 27, 1935 in Sucre, Bolivia to Alberto Orihuela (a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Bolivia) and Laura (Dalence) Orihuela. Dr. Orihuela received his medical degree at the University of Saint Francis Xavier in Sucre, Bolivia. He immigrated to the United States at the request of the United States Federal Government when there was a shortage of physicians. The U.S. Government invited only the top graduating medical students from around the world to work in the United States and he accepted the invitation and moved his family from Bolivia to America barely knowing any English. Dr. Orihuela completed his surgical residency at the University of Chicago and he served as Chief Surgical Resident at University Municipal Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He returned to Chicago and opened his private practice, The San Jose Medical Center in the Wrigleyville area of Chicago where he dedicated his life to helping those in need regardless of their financial circumstances, many times charging patients whatever they could afford or nothing at all. Judges and politicians were also among his many patients. In addition to earning several awards and honors, Dr. Orihuela served one term as the President of the Bolivian American Medical Society, and he served as Medical Director at Thorek Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Orihuela was a true American patriot while also remaining loyal to his native homeland and loved all things Bolivian, especially the home cooking of his wife, Perly. At the same time, he was meticulous and a perfectionist as his profession required and he encouraged his family and all who he loved to also do their very best. He was most happy at home with his wife, children and grandchildren, as well as the time he spent in his pool, and at his lakehouse in Whitewater, Wisconsin. His passions were his family, his Roman Catholic faith, his flowers/gardening, swimming, exercising, playing the piano, painting, the Chicago Bears and watching World Cup soccer. He loved his dogs, including but not limited to Chico, Buck, Lucky, as well as his cockatiel Chips and his beloved toucan, Sinatra. Dr. Orihuela was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Hugo Orihuela (who served as a judge for the Bolivian Supreme Court) and Gaston "Tito" Orihuela, parents in-law Walter and Aida Scott. He is survived by his wife and love of his life, Perly Martha (Scott) Orihuela of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, whom he married on Oct. 1, 1960 after meeting her in Sucre, Bolivia. They renewed their wedding vows almost a year ago on Oct. 1, which marked their 63rd wedding anniversary. Dr. Orihuela is also survived by five children, 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Survivors include four sons and one daughter. Walter Orihuela and wife Kelly of Morris Plains, New Jersey, parents of Christopher, Kelli, Nicole and Andrew. Carlos Orihuela and wife Joanna of Mundelein, Illinois, parents of Christina (Orihuela) Estrada (and husband Mario with son Charles), Alex (and wife Alexia and their daughter Sophia), Irini and Nicholas. Paul Orihuela of Phoenix, Arizona, father of Noelle, Addison and Matteo. Fernando Orihuela and wife Leslie of Woodridge, Illinois, parents of Maximilian and Casey. Perly (Orihuela) Gable and husband Craig of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, parents of Charlotte, Lucia and Benjamin. A celebration of Dr. Orihuela's life will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023, from 9 a.m. to noon Eastern at Palms Beach West Funeral Home, 110 Business Park Way, in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. A funeral mass will follow at 1p.m. Eastern at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola, 9999 North Military Trail, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in the memory of Dr. Orihuela to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 (donate.cancer.org) or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (stjude.org). A fellow physician and family member said it best, "The world is a better place because of Dr. Orihuela and the lives he touched. We live in a temporary shell. His spirit and soul will never die."