REMBERTO RANGEL, M.D.
1925-2017
Dr. Remberto Rangel, M. D., in his 92nd year, passed away, April 1, 2017, at his home in Taylor Lake Village, Texas. Dr. Rangel was born on December 26, 1925, to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rangel, in Cabaiguan and raised in the nearby city of Sancti Spiritus, Cuba.
After receiving his Medical Degree from the Instituto Superior de Ciencias Medicas de La Habana [1952], in Havana, Cuba, Dr. Rangel came to the United States. He accepted a fellowship with the Mahoning Tuberculosis Sanitarium (near Youngstown, Ohio), concentrating on Pulmonary Disease. He then completed a residency specializing in Internal Medicine, at St. Alexis Hospital (Cleveland, Ohio), and later completed his residency specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor College Of Medicine (Houston, Texas), eventually retiring from Physiatry in 2006 as Director of Rehabilitation, at Park Plaza Rehabilitation Associates (Houston, Texas).
While attending medical training in Delaware, he met the very lovely, Lucille Trout, a nurse, who would become his wife, enriching his life with love and the beauty of family. The Rangel’s started their adventure in the Cleveland, Ohio area, later settling for the more moderate climate of Houston, Tx. Dr. Rangel is survived by his wife of 62 years, and children; Sylvia Stowe (Belton Lake, Tx), Paul Rangel (Friendswood, Tx), Anamarie Smathers (Taylor Lake Village, Tx), and Laura Lumpkin (Taylor Lake Village, Tx), among in-laws and numerous grand- and great-grand-children.
Dr. Rangel promoted Art and Scholarship serving as an active developer and President of the Institute of Hispanic Culture of Houston, whose mission objective is to provide collegiate scholarship awards to qualified recipients. In honor and acknowledgement of his leadership and accomplishments with the institute and its positive effect on hispanic culture, Houston Mayor Bill White, declared November 30, 2006, as “Dr. Remberto Rangel Day”. He also participated in the efforts of Casa Cuba for the enrichment, promotion, and perpetuation of Cuban cultural heritage, and was active in several community history clubs and group biblical studies. In his retirement years, he taught nurses in medical competency training at UTMB (Galveston, Tx), and volunteered hours in various charity hospitals in the Houston area. He was a very active sports and game enthusiast, with particular interests in tennis (Championship level) and boxing; also enjoying camping and outdoor life. Among his family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues, he will be remembered not only for his tireless efforts in a lengthy and distinguished medical career, but more so for his personal sacrifice and ample generosity to many.
Memorial service for Dr. Remberto Rangel, M. D., will be conducted at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, 1511 El Dorado Blvd, Houston, TX 77062, [phn: 281-4886731] on April 24, 2017, at 6:00 pm; a reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, gifts, or direct donations, Dr. Rangel’s family requests memorials be made to the Clear Lake Presbyterian Church - Cuba Partnership Fund. [Checks payable to: CLPC with “Cuba Partnership” in the memo line].