Emmanuel P. Rivas M.D. III

1936 - 2017

Emmanuel Pierre Rivas, III, M.D., born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 19, 1936, passed away peacefully at his home on June 30, 2017. Dr. Rivas was the husband of Paulette Cacamo Rivas, father of Deborah Anne Rivas, James Ferrier Rivas, Mary Elizabeth Rivas, and Peter James Rivas, brother of Joan Rivas Monahan, grandfather of Meredith Elise Rivas, Anne Rivas Tornabene, John Wesley Mobley, III, and Elizabeth Rivas Mobley, Arden Taylor Duhon and great grandfather of Luke Tornabene. Dr. Rivas was predeceased by his parents, Emmanuel Pierre Rivas, Jr. and Anne Shannon Rivas, his son, Emmanuel Pierre Rivas, IV, and his brother, Michael George Rivas. Dr. Rivas attended St. Aloysius High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1957, he received a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana. He received his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1961, where he was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He completed a year of residency in general surgery and three years of residency and fellowship in urology at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Dr. Rivas served as Chief Resident in Urology while at Charity Hospital. Dr. Rivas was honorably discharged from the United States Army National Guard, where he held the rank of Captain and served as a MASH unit surgeon. Dr. Rivas was a kind and compassionate man who was in the private practice of urology for over 50 years in the Greater New Orleans area, initiating his practice with Drs. Max M. Green and Robert F. Sharp, Sr., and continuing with Dr. Robert F. Sharp, Jr. His love and passion for the practice of urology was demonstrated through his respect for patients and colleagues alike. Dr. Rivas was a pioneer in kidney transplantation surgery, and he successfully performed hundreds of kidney transplants, which brought him immense joy. Dr. Rivas taught urology at both Tulane and Louisiana State University Schools of Medicine for many years. Dr. Rivas was a member of the medical staffs of Southern Baptist Hospital, East Jefferson General Hospital, Touro Infirmary, Mercy Hospital, Ochsner Baptist Hospital and Hotel Dieu Hospital. He served as President of the Medical Staff at Hotel Dieu Hospital, as well as Chairman of Urology at many of those hospitals. He was a founder of Gulf South Lithotripsy, and spent many years as a director. Dr. Rivas was a member of many medical organizations, including the American College of Surgeons, American Board of Surgery, American Urologic Association, Southeastern Section of American Urologic Association, Southeastern Surgical Conference, Louisiana State Urologic Association, Orleans Parish Medical Society, New Orleans Surgical Society, Oscar Creech Surgical Society, and Surgical Association of Louisiana. He was a M.D. Anderson Credentialed Provider. Dr. Rivas had a great love for life, and was an avid fisherman, hunter, snow skier, and golfer. He was a lifelong member of many social organizations. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 631 State St., New Orleans, on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com