Mohammed Rafiullah

1934 - 2025

Mohammed (Rafi) Rafiullah, M.D., a devoted and much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and esteemed neurosurgeon, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 22, 2025, at his longtime home in Racine, Wisconsin. He was 91.

Born in India in 1934, Dr. Rafiullah was the oldest of nine children and part of a close-knit family. He pursued his medical training at Liaquat College in Pakistan. He immigrated from Pakistan to Chicago, Illinois for his internship at Augustana Hospital, as well as his general surgery residency. It was at Augustana where he met the young lady who would become the most important person in his life, nursing school student, June Johnson. The two married and moved to Portland, Oregon for his neurosurgical residency at Multnomah County Hospital, where he also achieved his master's degree in microbiology.

In the late 60's, his growing family moved to Racine, where Dr. Rafiullah and another other neurosurgeon served most of southeastern Wisconsin. Eventually they formed the Neurological Clinic, S.C. in downtown Racine, where he practiced for decades and made life-long friends with this partners and colleagues.

Dr. Rafiullah was more than a physician; he was a natural mentor whose engaged listening and wise counsel uplifted generations of young people. His quiet strength and generous spirit extended far beyond the clinic walls.

Rafi wanted to experience as much as he could in this life. His motto was, "If not now, when? With his optimistic and adventurous spirit, he and June travelled extensively across the globe. A faithful Muslim, he performed Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia in his mid-70s. He was an avid tennis player and skier for many years and played golf well into his 80s. After retiring, Rafi channeled his lifelong love of gardening into community service, becoming a certified Master Gardener and volunteering regularly in Racine.

He is survived by his wife, June Rafiullah and three daughters, Sahira Rafiullah (Michael Goldrich) of Ellicott City, MD, Raana Saric (Emir) of Wilmette, IL, and Shazia R. Miller (Samuel) of Chicago, IL; five grandchildren Spencer Goldrich, Sanford Miller, Felicia Miller, Rafi Saric, and Kenan Saric.

The family extends its gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community and kindly asks that you continue to remember Rafi in your prayers.