Aug. 9, 1926 - Jan. 5, 2013 ELKHART - Dr. Rodolfo E. Echeverria Sr., 86, of Elkhart, departed to Heaven on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born Aug. 9, 1926, in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba, to Eduardo and Consuelo (Roque) Echeverria. On May 27, 1954, he married Dido D. (Rodriguez) Echeverria in Havana, Cuba. In addition to his wife of 58 years, other survivors include 3 daughters, Dido M. Echeverria of South Bend, Constance (Edward) Smyth of Elkhart and Elisa (Rob) Nilsen of Elkhart; son, Dr. Rodolfo E. (Tena) Echeverria Jr. of Fishers; 7 grandchildren, Patrick (Valerie) Echeverria, Micheal Brenneman, Lucas (Katrina) Brenneman, Jordan Smyth, Alex Echeverria, Ryan Echeverria and Lindsay Nilsen; and 6 great-grandchildren. Rodolfo was one of the founding fathers of the Orthopedic Sports Medicine Center in Elkhart and practiced there for over 40 years. He was a 1952 graduate of the University of Havana Cuba Medical School. Rodolfo and Dido came to the U.S.A. in 1954. His schooling continued 5 more years in the U.S.A. in the study of orthopedics and surgery. He also served 9 months at Veterans Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y. He was a member of the American Medical Association, Indiana Orthopedic Society, Academy of American Orthopedic Associates, Board of Certified Orthopedic Surgeons, and President of the Indiana Orthopedic Association. He did the first total hip replacement at Elkhart General Hospital in 1973. Rodolfo practiced medicine for over 50 years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman all over North America, belonging to No Peek Hunt Club and the Elkhart Canadian Hunt Club. "He was the most interesting man in the world." He will be missed and remembered by the ones who loved him dearly. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 8, 2013, from 6 until 8 P.M. at New Creation Fellowship Church, 30190 County Road 10, Granger, IN 46530. Please join us in celebrating and honoring the life of Rodolfo on Wednesday, January 9, 2013, at 1:00 P.M. at the New Creation Fellowship Church. Pastor David Klahr will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Orthopedic Sports Medicine Center, 2310 California Road, Elkhart, IN 46514. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin Street, Elkhart. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com.