DR. RAUL VILLANUEVA M.D.

DR. RAUL VILLANUEVA M.D.
MISSION - Dr. Raul Villanueva, M.D. left this life peacefully on February 29, 2012. Born on June 8, 1931, he devoted his life to the practice of medicine and the loving care of his family.
Dr. Villanueva is remembered as a loving father whose devotion to his medical career and the patients he served was only superseded by his love for his family. He was preceded in death by his first wife Eloisa Garcia de Villanueva and his brothers and sisters. He leaves behind his present wife Francisca Guadalupe Sanchez de Villanueva and their daughter Katheryne, his four children and their spouses, Eloisa, Raul and Lisa, Norma, and Gilberto and Yolanda, his three grandchildren, Clarissa, Ariana, and Marco Antonio, numerous relatives with their spouses and families, and many friends who will all dearly miss him.
Born and educated in Monterrey, N.L., Mexico, Dr. Villanueva and his first wife Eloisa, moved to the United States in the late 50's. By 1961 he had opened his first private medical practice in San Antonio while also working as a staff surgeon with the Santa Rosa and Baptist Memorial Hospitals. During this time his children Eloisa, Raul, Norma and Gilberto were born. Dr. Villanueva completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and started a career developing rehabilitation programs for the Department of Veteran Affairs.
He then worked for M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute in Houston as a pioneer in the work of rehabilitation with cancer patients. During this time, he developed many prosthetic, orthotic, and diagnostic techniques still in use today. Dr. Villanueva became a consultant to the National Cancer Institute and the World Health Organization, and was invited to participate in conferences throughout the United States, Mexico, South America and Europe. Always willing to share his knowledge, Dr. Villanueva trained medical students at the Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas, as well as working with many hospitals in the Houston area to establish or grow their rehabilitation programs.
In 1981, Dr. Villanueva moved to the Rio Grande Valley where he opened the Hidalgo-Starr Rehabilitation Clinic. Over the next six years his practice grew to encompass a 10,000 sq. ft. facility employing 30 staff while assisting employers to have safer workplaces and giving new hope to many patients. During this time he was awarded two first place research awards at the Texas Medical Association conference for his work with ergonomics, injured workers, and chronic pain. He later retired to a small private practice on Nolana in McAllen, where he completed 50 years in practice as a member of the Texas Medical Association.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Villanueva's friends and peers who enriched his life and all of the physicians, nurses, and staff who cared for him in his final years. God Bless you all.
Visitations were held Thursday, March 1, 2012 at Rivera Funeral Home, LLC of Mission. Cremation arrangements are being entrusted to the care of Rivera Funeral Home, LLC of Mission.
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