Carlos G. Rizowy

Dr. Carlos Guillermo Rizowy, a retired professor, lawyer, and devoted father who served as Uruguay's Honorary Consul in Chicago, passed away Sunday, September 18, at age 73, in New York City after a two-decades-long battle with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST). Refusing to let the disease interfere with his love of life, he remained active until recently.

Rizowy was born in a tenement in Sarandi Grande in the Uruguayan countryside. His parents, Gerson and Eva, were Holocaust survivors from Poland who survived several concentration camps, including Auschwitz. Their background would motivate him throughout his life and serve as his guiding ethos: To stand up for what's right, even if you're standing alone.

Rizowy moved to Israel as a volunteer in the aftermath of Israel's 1967 Six Day War. There, he was settled on Kibbutz Ein Dor. A couple of years later, he began his undergraduate studies in political science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

In 1973, Rizowy was accepted to the University of Chicago's doctoral program in political science. Simultaneously, he earned his J.D. at Kent Law – Illinois Institute of Technology, where he was active at the Circle Campus Hillel House. There, he was introduced by the House Director to a young woman from the Roosevelt Hillel Chapter named Charlotte Gordon.

The pair, which had palpable chemistry that was noticeable to all, married and settled into the Lakeview neighborhood, where they raised their three wonderful children, Brian Isaac (38) Yael Deborah (29), and Michal Evie (28).

Soon after the passing of his wife in 2000, the family relocated to New York City. There, he navigated the cards he was dealt in creative ways and walked through life with positivity and his family's best interest at heart. "His sons best memories of his father included learning about cultures through their worldwide travel adventures and, above all, their shared passion for the State of Israel"-Brian. "My father was and still is my best friend, his unconditional love allowed me to fly and embrace life to the fullest!" -Yael. "I could always count on him. My dad had the ability to make any situation better and make any problem into a lesson. He eased my racing mind and always made me feel like I belonged." -Michal

Often described as a character due to his handlebar mustache, wily hair, and preference for bow ties, Dr. Rizowy displayed a sharp mind and sharper wit. He was a prolific public speaker including as a frequent political contributor on WTTW's "Chicago Tonight" and on WBEZ's "Midday with Sondra Geir." He remained a forceful advocate for Israel and active in Jewish causes throughout his life. Among his numerous activities in the Jewish community, Dr. Rizowy helped co-found the Chicago chapter of the Association of Children of Holocaust Survivors and was active in the first successful lawsuits for reparations against the German government. He was also active in supporting Roma and Sinti's claims against Germany.

In addition to his three children, Dr. Carlos Guillermo Rizowy is survived by an older brother, Dr. Victor Hugo Rizowy, and a younger sister, Dr. Anita Fraiman. He will be laid to rest alongside his beloved wife and mother of his children, Charlotte Gordon, at Jewish Oakridge Cemetery.

A service will be held at Anshe Emet Synagogue, 3751 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613, on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at 12:00 Noon CT. The service will also be livestreamed on Carlos' page at www.goldmanfuneralgroup.com. Interment Jewish Oakridge Cemetery, Hillside, IL. Shiva will be observed at Anshe Emet from 4-8 pm immediately following the internment. In lieu of flowers, contributions to The Anti-Defamation League, www.adl.org, Keshet, www.keshet.org, or the Jewish National Fund, www.jnf.org. Info: The Goldman Funeral Group 847-478-1600