Augusto Hugo Ramirez

Dr. Augusto Hugo Ramirez Trujillo, 93, peacefully departed this world on May 24, 2025, in Lisle, IL. Known by many as Gus (and Lolo to his grandchildren), he was beloved for his generosity, compassion, humor and humility, and spent much of his life in service to the health and well-being of others.
Augusto was born in Sevilla, Valle de Cauca, Colombia. He was valedictorian of the first graduating class of the University of Cauca's School of Medicine in Popayán, Colombia in 1958, and was elected to the council of its faculty of medicine. Dr. Ramirez practiced in Colombia before completing a residency in general surgery at Fairview General Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1972. There he met the love of his life, Dr. Irene Espedido-Ramirez, originally from Manila, Philippines. They wed at Holy Hill Basilica in Hubertus, Wisconsin, in 1972 and ventured to Wichita, Kansas, before settling due east in a small town called Pittsburg. Augusto raised paso fino horses on a family farm, Rancho Chico, whose doors were always open to family and friends. After retirement they moved to Phoenix, Arizona; Cleveland, Ohio; and finally to Chicago's western suburbs, following his children and grandchildren.
A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Ramirez was a pioneer in the use of laparoscopy in southeast Kansas. His general surgery practice spanned three decades at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center and Girard Community Hospital. He used his native Spanish skills volunteering for medical missions (organized by the Sisters of St. Joseph) in Puebla, Mexico, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and the Philippines. He also volunteered in the early days of a free clinic housed in a Pittsburg elementary school, which later became the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas.
Augusto spent his free time playing racquetball and wandering the backwoods on horseback. He was the proud owner of El Capitán, who achieved Reserve National Champion through the Paso Fino Horse Association. Augusto always had an adventurous spirit and an insatiable curiosity about the world. His travels brought him across the globe, which he catalogued with a camcorder and countless photos. He enjoyed salmon fishing in Alaska, trail rides in New Mexico, scuba diving in the Caribbean and the South China Sea, and spending time with the Yanomami of the Amazon. He won hearts with his epic stories and his rare gift to connect with anyone who crossed his path.
Augusto is preceded in death by his parents, Sola Trujillo and Luis Ramiro Ramirez; brothers Ramiro, Oscar, Fabio, Felipe, and Carlos Ramirez; and daughter Madeline Ramirez. Survivors include two sisters, Solita Vasquez and Maria Elena Ramirez; wife Dr. Irene Espedido-Ramirez; son JP Ramirez, spouse Dr. Kimberly Bauer, and their children Elena, Jameson, and Vivienne; and daughter Tina Ramirez Moon, spouse Steve Hosik Moon, and their child Sola.
A memorial Mass will be held on Friday, June 6, 2025, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Naperville, IL, at 11:00 AM, immediately followed by inurnment at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Latino Alzheimers and Memory Disorders Alliance at https://www.latinoalzheimersalliance.org/.