Robert Vito Carida, Sr., M.D.

Robert Vito Carida, M.D., of Wellington, Florida, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 20, 2023 in Santa Margherita Ligure while on a tour of Italy, the birthplace of both his parents. The cause of death was Covid.

Robert was born in Newark, New Jersey on November 27, 1937. He graduated from Barringer High School in Newark in 1955 after being voted "Most Studious" and "Most Likely to Become a Physician". He was the recipient of several prestigious awards in science, math, and languages including the Bausch + Lomb Award.

With a major in physics, Robert graduated from Rutgers University in 1961 on a full four year scholarship where he excelled at track and played on the football team. He went on to graduate from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York in 1965.

Robert then went on to do his Internship at St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan where he met his future wife Karen Reilly, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania. The next 2 years he served as a Captain in the Air Force in Victorville, CA. From 1966-1968, he served as Base Physician and Psychiatrist at George Air Force Base.

As a visionary and pioneer in preventive medicine, Dr. Carida spent the next 30 years practicing Cardiology in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. He touched the lives of thousands of patients and truly embodied the Hippocratic Oath. His love for learning and his pursuit of knowledge never ceased. He was quadruple board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Echocardiography, and Lipidology.

The last few decades of his practice, Robert focused on Lipidology and was among only 200 physicians who passed the first American Board of Clinical Lipidology exam given in 2009. He was 70 at the time and healing from a fractured hip. He again passed the boards at 80 years old.

A man with an incredible intellect, Robert was a Renaissance man. He was a scientist who appreciated the arts, especially opera. A true Italian at heart, he loved his pasta "al dente" and fine cuisine. He unconditionally supported his children and encouraged them to follow their dreams. He cherished time with his grandchildren and was the "go to" for helping with homework.

Robert is survived by his wife, Karen Carida, his children, Diana Carida, Robert V. Carida II, M.D., and Camille Carida as well as his grandchildren, Olivia Carida and Robert V. Carida III. He is also survived by his siblings, Marie Donnamaria, Leonard Carida, and his son-in-law, James Hubbard, Captain, US Navy (Ret).