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BORN
1943
DIED
2024
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Guillermo RUBIO Obituary
Guillermo was born Abel Guillermo Rubio Rodriguez, in Mexico City, to Dr. Salvador Rubio Morales and Carmen Rodriguez Silva. He was one of nine children and grew up, often caring for his siblings since his mother passed at an early age. Guillermo lived in Cuaútla, Morelos, and Mexico City during his childhood and subsequently studied medicine at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. He completed his residency, and fellowship in internal medicine and endocrinology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, where he met Alyce Dabanoff. They started a life together in 1975 and came to Spokane. They have three children, Claudia Ani, Eric Dikran and Cristina Karine.
With camera in hand, he recorded their growing years and their good times, frequent travels to Mexican beaches and ancient ruins.
Guillermo practiced medicine at Rockwood Clinic for 16 years, during which he brought the first insulin pump to our city. Guillermo served another 15 years at the Spokane VA Hospital before his retirement from clinical practice in 2007. He continued to consult with the Social Security Disability until 2021.
As a community member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Guillermo sang in the choir and was elected often as president and was translator for the Guatemala Mission Committee, which serves the indigenous population in the highlands of Guatemala.
In addition to his numerous trips to Guatemala, Guillermo enjoyed traveling the world. He and Alyce were adventurous enough to drive through Chile and Argentina, safari in Kenya and Tanzania, explore Alaska, and cruise rivers in Europe. He studied Greek, enjoyed reading, attended a Spanish conversation group, played card games, squash and dominoes. He lived his life generously, taking care of patients, friends, and family.
Guillermo was predeceased by his parents, three siblings, and his son, Eric.
He is survived by his wife, Alyce; daughters, Claudia (Leel Peesapati), Cristina (Nick Lee); son, Scott Handleman (Carli Cutchin); grandchildren, Gabriel, Dylan, Syra, Siddhartha, Thaddeo, Olive and Lilly; as well as many siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews in the US and Mexico.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 3327 S. Perry St., on November 9, 2024, at 11 AM.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Guillermo RUBIO
5 Entries
Evajean Blum Blackstone
March 12, 2025
He was the best. Kind, compassionate, with a great sense of humor. I was a patient, but I also worked for him. I am sad. My deepest condolences to the family.
Dr. Jose Miguel
November 4, 2024
Guillermo: May you rest in peace. May our Father and Mother receive you in Glory.
Thank you for friendship and your support in the education of indigenous girls and boys in Guatemala. We will always have you in our hearts.
Dr. Jose Miguel and family
Crystal
October 27, 2024
I worked with Dr. Rubio until I retired in 2019. He was always pleasant. Good at explaining medical issues. Nicest Doctor that ever worked at DDS.
Terry LPN
October 27, 2024
I was a nurse at Sacred Heart Medical Center and became acquainted with Dr.Rubio when he made rounds on his patients that were admitted on my unit. I found him to be a very kind man who took very good care of his patients. I admired his integrity and compassion. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I know that Heaven is rejoicing that another good and faithful servant has come home. My sympathy to his family and friends.
The Thomas McKay family
October 27, 2024
He was a wonderful and caring person and a great doctor. He was our father´s doctor for several years at the VA Hospital, and our father thought the world of him.
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Funeral services provided by:
Holy Cross Funeral and Cemetery Services7200 N Wall Street, Spokane, WA 99208
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