Robert Peter Cavallino

Robert Peter Cavallino obituary, Tucson, AZ

Robert Peter Cavallino

Robert Cavallino Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Aug. 6, 2025.
Robert Peter Cavallino, MD, age 90, died at his home in Tucson, AZ on July 26, 2025, from complications of Parkinson's Disease. His children and grandchildren were with him, and he drew his last peaceful breath surrounded by their love. Predeceased by his wife Patricia Ann (Connolly) in 2024, he is survived by sons John Cavallino and Peter Cavallino, daughter Sarah Cavallino McMahon, and grandchildren Robert and Paloma McMahon.
Dr. Cavallino was born Rosario Robert Cavallino on November 12, 1934, in Brooklyn, NY, to Angelina Gallo and Anthony V. Cavallino. His mother was a seamstress, and his father was a baker. He grew up in Brookline, MA, when the area was rural enough to have a dairy farm at the end of his street.
A gifted scholar even in elementary school, he was recommended to skip two grades at Harriet Baldwin Elementary School, and then to study at Boston Latin School. His academic excellence at BLS earned him admission to Harvard, which he began attending while he was only 16 and still living at home. He joined the Air Force ROTC his junior year, and although he hoped to be a pilot, the Air Force decided that he was better suited to attend medical school. Upon graduation from Tufts School of Medicine, he went to Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, HI, to complete his medical internship at Tripler Army Medical Center.
He was then stationed at Westover Air Force Base in MA, as a flight medical officer in the hospital and on the flight line of B-52 Stratofortress bombers and their Stratotanker refuelers. Dr. Cavallino recalled his service days with pride and nostalgia. He hitched rides throughout the Pacific from Hickam, and from Westover he flew over the North Pole. He was assigned to nuclear armed bombers, and was one of the first three physicians ever to graduate from the Air Force Advanced Arctic Survival School. He contributed to the diagnoses of a number of unusual cases, received 2 Air Force Commendation Medals, and met his future wife Patricia in the Westover Officers Club.
After an honorable discharge with the rank of Captain in 1962, he married Patty and joined a private medical practice in Amesbury, MA, where he also served as the county medical examiner. Although he was called briefly back to Westover during the Cuban missile crisis, Dr. Cavallino characterized these few years in Amesbury as a satisfying period of old fashioned country doctoring. During this time, he and Patty welcomed their eldest son John.
In 1966, Dr. Cavallino was invited to become a Radiology Fellow at Cornell University Medical College in Manhattan, after which he spent 11 years practicing diagnostic radiology at Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey. He rose to Chief of Operations and residency training, and Vice-President of the medical staff. Peter and Sarah were born during these years.
Dr. Cavallino's last career move was to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, where he was asked in 1978 to be Associate Director of a small and underpowered radiology department. He called in favorite colleagues from around the country, convinced the hospital to purchase the second MRI unit ever seen in the United States, and as Chairman from 1983-2005, built a thriving department. He trained decades of residents with intellectual rigor, humility, humor, and a remembrance of how the doctor-patient relationship used to be, back in his day. IMMC's Cavallino MRI Institute honors his legacy, and an annual award is given in his name to the resident who most exemplifies his attributes. He was president of the Chicago Radiological Society, and received their highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award.
Dr. Cavallino used to joke that his hobby was work, and although he did work long hours, he managed to relax sometimes, too. He spent his leisure time doing what he loved: traveling with Patty and friends, golfing, racing his several sports cars, attending the opera and symphony, and sharing a lifetime of excellent meals with loved ones. He made and kept friends easily, and enjoyed being with his family. He nurtured all his relationships with his essential qualities of generosity, loyalty, honesty, and trust in the goodness of humanity. Dr. Cavallino never acted from malice, and often gave to others to the point of sacrificing himself. He had a peerless vocabulary, which made him a superb writer, storyteller, and master of dry wit. He loved perfection for the beauty of it: a flawless automobile, a top tier stereo, a fine tie, a precision watch. It was impossible for him not to try his best, and he was often baffled to encounter carelessness in others. He was a mythic father and grandfather: awe inspiring, absolutely dependable, loving, and benevolent. He had a gift for achieving the impossible, whether it be unraveling an elusive diagnosis, or gracefully ending a disagreement.
An unbearable irony of his last dozen years is that Dr. Cavallino could neither diagnose his own wife, nor resolve her conflicts. In his memory, we ask you to spread awareness that unacknowledged dementia is insidious, and a sufferer can profoundly harm their loved ones. If you see changes in the behavior of an elderly person, say something. Your observation may provide crucial validation to a family in agony. Dr. Cavallino and Patty were unable to follow the plan they had made for retirement, and from 2018 lived apart from each other in separate wings of a care facility. In 2025, Dr. Cavallino returned to his home in Tucson, to spend his precious last months with family.
Interment with military honors will take place at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, HI. Donations may be made to The Sons of Italy Foundation Scholarship Fund (previously Ordine Figli d'Italia), without which Dr. Cavallino could not have attended Harvard.

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September 25, 2025

Sarah McMahon posted to the memorial.

September 25, 2025

Sarah McMahon posted to the memorial.

September 25, 2025

Sarah McMahon posted to the memorial.

15 Entries

Sarah McMahon

September 25, 2025

Dr. Cavallino received military honors September 12, 2025 at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. He is interred in Court 13, Wall V, Niche 359. He joined us at the table for dinner at one of his favorite places, after which we were lucky enough to catch a fireworks display over Waikiki. We will hold the memory of this beautiful day in our hearts.

Sarah McMahon

September 25, 2025

Deb, thank you so much for writing, how wonderful to see your name here. I'm so glad that you and your family have good memories of my parents. I remember everyone having a happy time together when we would visit you in Naperville. I send hugs back to you and your family. Sarah

Sarah McMahon

September 25, 2025

Deb Doher

September 24, 2025

Dear Sarah, Peter and John - my father told me today that he had heard that your mom passed away and while trying to find contact info, I saw that your father died as well. We are so sorry for your loss. Your parents were always so kind to my family when we lived in Naperville and whenever we saw them and my dad adored your Mum as his older cousin. Hugs to your families for such a great loss. Deb (Rogers) Doher

Marie Ullrich

September 12, 2025

I'm so sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure to read about your father's memorable life.

Sarah McMahon

August 14, 2025

Ravenel, thank you for sharing your memories. I'm grateful you and my dad were able to speak recently. You and Beth were among my parents' favorite people too, for 50 plus years. I'm so glad you mentioned his time as a city council member, because I didn't fit that into his obituary and it is important: he was so willing to give of himself for the good of others. John, Peter and I send our best to your family,
Sarah

Sarah McMahon

August 14, 2025

Sondra, thank you so much for your kind words about my dad, and my mom too. It's nice to remember their happy times. I will give you and Mike a call soon.
Sarah

Michael NJ Wright

August 11, 2025

The Son is a great indicator of the mettle of the father. Godspeed.

Ravenel Curry

August 11, 2025

Dear Sarah, John and Peter,

I have such wonderful memories of your parents. They were two of my favorite people, and we had many delightful dinners in the neighborhood. Bob was an excellent city council member, and we had fun campaigning together. He was not only a medical servant but also a public servant. It was my joy to have them as friends.

Ravenel Curry

Sondra Hannafan

August 11, 2025

Dear Sarah
Hi, it´s Sandra Hannafan. I´m so sorry to read this obituary. Your father was a great man ! His obit is truly impressive. I had no idea he had been in the service. He was a kind, smart wonderful man. I´m also very sad to see that your mother has passed away. Mike and I were speaking of them last week. I loved your mother as well. She was so wonderful. You truly had great family. I know you will miss them both dearly. Tracy saw this article and sent it to me. We are very sorry for you but they did have long wonderful lives. Hope everything is going well for you and your family. Much love to all Sandra and Mike

Sarah Cavallino McMahon

August 10, 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words, Patricia. Dr. Sukerkar and Margaret, thank you for sharing your memories. We would love to see photos, if you find any. Please feel free to share this with anyone my brothers and I might not know from IMMC or elsewhere. Warmly, Sarah

Dr Margaret Drugay

August 10, 2025

I'm so very sorry to see this. Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. I was also sorry to see your Mom is also gone. Bob and Joe had such a good professional and personal relationship. We spent plenty of wonderful hours with your parents. I'll have to see if I have photos I can send on. Please be in touch if you feel like it. Hugs to you all. Margaret

Tripler Army Medical Center

August 8, 2025

We are sorry to hear of Dr. Cavallino's passing. Many of us in the military community have benefitted from the dedication of professionals like him who support our service members and their families. His contributions to the training programs at Tripler undoubtedly impacted countless individuals.

Thank you, Robert, for your service and dedication. May you rest in peace.

Arun Sukerkar

August 7, 2025

I was deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Cavallino´s passing. He was like a brother to me, and was a loyal friend who had a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him. I am grateful for the years we worked together and the friendship we shared. His legacy will continue to inspire me. My heartfelt condolences to the family, and may his memory be a blessing.

With sympathy,
Arun Sukerkar

Patricia Rakoczy

August 7, 2025

To John Peter and Sara,
I send my deepest condolences!
I owed you mother and father so much for their kindness and generosity!
I am saddened by the great loss of your father !

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results

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September 25, 2025

Sarah McMahon posted to the memorial.

September 25, 2025

Sarah McMahon posted to the memorial.

September 25, 2025

Sarah McMahon posted to the memorial.