Dr. Reinaldo Menendez

Dr. Reinaldo Menendez, age 81, died Sunday May 30, 2004. Dr. Menendez is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dalia Menendez; two children, Kathy Burgess and her husband, John of Goochland Co., Joe Menendez and his wife, Tara of Chester Va.; and two grandchildren, Ashley Nicole Menendez and Olivia Lee Menendez. Dr. Menendez received his medical degree from the University of Havana, Cuba from 1942 through 1950. In 1951 he moved to the United States as a house internist at Hillsborough Co. Hospital of Tampa, Fla. While at Tampa he met Dalia Torres and they wed September 7, 1951. Also in 1953 Dr. and Mrs. Menendez moved to Virginia. From 1953 through 1958 he served as assistant resident of surgery at Mary Immaculate Hospital of Newport News, Va., Depaul Hospital and Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Va. In 1958, while still working at Norfolk General Hospital, Dr. Menendez served as the first foreign born chief resident of surgery in Norfolk General Hospital, something he was always proud of. In 1960 Dr. Menendez and his family moved to Houston, Miss. where he served as staff surgeon before making Emporia, Va. his permanent home. From 1961 through 1988 Dr. Menendez served as staff surgeon, chief of staff, and chief of the surgical department of Greensville Memorial Hospital. in 1988 Dr. Menendez retired from his surgical practice. Since July 1989 Dr. Menendez spent the rest of his life devoted to the Stony Creek Community Health Center located in Stony Creek, Va. as a general practitioner. Family will receive friends at the Echols Funeral Home, Emporia, tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations requested to be made to the Greensville Volunteer Rescue Squad or the First Presbyterian Church, Emporia, Va.