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Carlos Vallbona Obituary
1927-2015
Carlos Vallbona, a physician and architect of the Harris Health Community Health Program died Wednesday. He was 88.
Carlos was born in Granollers, Spain, in 1927. His childhood was marred by the Spanish Civil War. At age 10, a "ghost car" came to his house, picked up his father and took him away forever. The suffering he experienced during the war compelled him to lead a life of service to others.
His passion for medicine led to a medical degree in Barcelona and post-graduate work in Paris where he met his wife, Rima Gretchen Vallbona. They came to the U.S. in the 50s during a raging polio epidemic where he ended up at the Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research.
He also taught at Baylor College of Medicine where he worked for over 50 years. During his career he helped found numerous clinics for the underserved communities of Houston. His mission was to get health care for everyone.
His last act, before a stroke in 2013, was seeing patients at the post-polio clinic at TIRR. Some of these he had treated since they were kids.
Although he fought valiantly, eventually complications from pneumonia took him away. He died peacefully surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
Carlos is survived by his former wife, Rima Vallbona, devoted children, Nuri Vallbona and her husband, Kelly Kaufhold, Carlos Vallbona, Maria and her husband, Brian Vaughan and Marisa Vallbona. He leaves six grandchildren, three nephews, their wives and numerous great nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother, Vicente, his sister, Sem and his parents Josep and Dolors Vallbona.
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Memories and Condolences
for Carlos Vallbona
Nancy Palomarez
August 3, 2025
Hard to believe you have been away 10 years now. I still think of you often and are very much missed.
Nancy Palomarez
Nancy Palomarez
August 3, 2024
Greatly missed.
Nancy Palomarez
August 3, 2023
Certainly not forgotten. I think of him and I get a smile on my face.
Maria
January 25, 2019
I miss you so much, Popsy!
January 5, 2017
I came across this obituary looking for Dr. Vallbona. I consulted him in 2009 for polio. My condolences to the entire Vallbona family. RIP Dr. Vallbona.
-Aisha Syeda
Rhonda
April 19, 2016
Querida Dra. Vallbona: Espero que Dios le bendiga y a su familia. Ya encontre esta noticia. Esta en mi mente y mi corazon.
Con amor,
Rhonda de la Universidad de Santo Tomas 1989
Edward Mihalov
October 15, 2015
My deepest condolences to the whole Vallbona Family, Your father not only touched my life but many others as well, May you all find peace knowing that he is with our Lord in all his Glory an that one day we will all be reunited in the Glory of Heaven. May God Bless you all an be with you in this very difficult time in the passing of your Father. An May the peace of Christ be with each of you.
Elisabet Massons Rabassa
August 31, 2015
Et recordo quan era petita i havies vingut a casa. Eres amb el Dr. Josep G. Llauradó els millors alumnes del meu pare, el Dr. Josep M. Massons.
I recordo l'última vegada quan vas estar a casa i a ESADE vas tenir l'atenció de recordar el teu mestre: el meu pare
Maria
August 28, 2015
Siempre te amare. Maria
JOSEP G LLAURADO
August 23, 2015
AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM
August 16, 2015
I remember finding out that TIRR having a Post Polio Clinic. I had not been there since I was 12. I was having a lot of problems. I went, and this amazing man knew me immediately by my maiden name " Chachere". He truly was an awesome man. I could go on and on. I truly loved him.
I wish his family my condolences and prayers.
Sharon Chachere Hansche
Melissa Gatlin
August 16, 2015
Sorry to hear of his passing, condolences to the family and the rest of his patients who had come to love him.
James David Aderholt
August 16, 2015
Dr. Vallbona will be dearly missed. My heart and prayers go out to the Vallbona family.
Symposium
Liliana Marasco Garrido
August 13, 2015
Symposium
Liliana Marasco Garrido
August 13, 2015
Firth Post Polio Symposium Post Polio in México City
Liliana Marasco Garrido
August 13, 2015
Liliana Marasco Garrido
August 13, 2015
Whit Dr Brian from Harvard and our family
Liliana Marasco Garrido
August 13, 2015
Liliana Marasco Garrido
August 13, 2015
His Birthday
Liliana Marasco Garrido
August 13, 2015
Liliana Marasco Garrido
August 13, 2015
Dr. Vallbona and myself
Liliana Marasco Garrido
August 13, 2015
Siempre estarás en mi corazón descansa en Paz.
Liliana Marasco Garrido
August 13, 2015
Dear Carlos as I used to name you, you know well that I was not only your patient , you were like a father for me. For Post Polio Association Litaff, you will be our honored Member Doctor. God bless you. My condolences to your lovely family. Lily _Liana Marasco Garrido
mary campbell and family
August 12, 2015
we were very stunned to find out about dr. vallbona's passing. what a wonderful and sincere and compassionate person. doctor's now are hard to find and are few and far between now a days . he was one of a kind. he should in my opinion be honored for a humanitarian award for all that he did throughout his lifetime and for all of his kindness he showed through his care with all of his polio patients. we all love you dearly, god bless you and your family. having such a wonderful father is a true blessing.peace be with you.
August 11, 2015
A fascinating man of endless energy and curiosity. His medicine bag was of great interest to me. He cared for me well - I was his patient. Thinking of him makes me smile and I miss him. Nancy Palomarez
Bonnie Lamb
August 10, 2015
Saddened to hear of Dr. Vallbona's passing and extend my deepest sympathies to his lovely family. I'll always remember how his eyes crinkled when he smiled and his innate elegance.
Marc Levinson
August 10, 2015
I knew Dr. Vallbona through our shared service on the Board of Healthcare for the Homeless-Houston in the early- and mid-2000s. I was always impressed with his compassion for vulnerable people, never regarding them as problems to be solved but rather as inherently worthwhile human beings who just needed a little bit of assistance with their current situation in life.
While I have not seen him in years, I was saddened to read of his passing in the newspaper. My sincere condolences to his family; those of us who knew him are much better for having had that relationship. He will be missed.
August 10, 2015
Great humanitarian, physician, teacher and mentor. Your knowledge, compassion and kindness will stay with us forever.
Francisco Fuentes
August 10, 2015
He is enjoying God's presence now.
Such a great and caring person who touched so many lives. I am glad he was in mine.
Dr. Vallbona Family,
We grieve with you in your time of sorrow.
Patricia Parra-Arevalo & Rogelio De La Fuente
Steve/Susan Bailey
August 9, 2015
Marisa, Maria and family. We are so sorry for your loss. What an impressive and inspirational man your father was.
Steve and Susan Bailey
Inés Anido
August 9, 2015
Sincere condolences to Rima and to his family. I was fortunate to know him and to work with him at the Institute of Hispanic Culture. A great intelligent man with a keen sense of humor. May he rest in peace.
Janet Wells
August 9, 2015
He was an incredible teacher and always upbeat. I am amazed at his early history. May he Rest in Peace, he added so much to humanity. Janet Wells
Charmaine Venters
August 9, 2015
Dr. Vallbona was an inspiration to many doctors in their early years of practice and to numerous medical students throughout his career. He taught us to care for all people, no matter their status in life. He will be sorely missed.
Toby Myers
August 8, 2015
Dr. Vallbona was a wonderful, contributory resident at The Spires where I met him again and where he enriched our lives with his presence. I knew him when my friend was a TIRR and I would visit her from where I worked across the street at TRIMS. When I made a trip to Barcelona in 2006, he made sure I brought back beberechos for his daughter.
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