Carlos Vallbona 1927-2015

Carlos Vallbona, a physician and architect of the Harris Health Community Health Program died Wednesday. He was 88.

Carlos was born in Granollers, Spain, in 1927. His childhood was marred by the Spanish Civil War. At age 10, a “ghost car” came to his house, picked up his father and took him away forever. The suffering he experienced during the war compelled him to lead a life of service to others.

His passion for medicine led to a medical degree in Barcelona and post-graduate work in Paris where he met his wife, Rima Gretchen Vallbona. They came to the U.S. in the 50s during a raging polio epidemic where he ended up at the Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research.

He also taught at Baylor College of Medicine where he worked for over 50 years. During his career he helped found numerous clinics for the underserved communities of Houston. His mission was to get health care for everyone.

His last act, before a stroke in 2013, was seeing patients at the post-polio clinic at TIRR. Some of these he had treated since they were kids.

Although he fought valiantly, eventually complications from pneumonia took him away. He died peacefully surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Carlos is survived by his former wife, Rima Vallbona, devoted children, Nuri Vallbona and her husband, Kelly Kaufhold, Carlos Vallbona, Maria and her husband, Brian Vaughan and Marisa Vallbona. He leaves six grandchildren, three nephews, their wives and numerous great nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother, Vicente, his sister, Sem and his parents Josep and Dolors Vallbona.