LOS FRESNOS,TX.— Dr. Marco A. Rubio-Ardila

58, of Los Fresnos, our beloved husband, son-in-law, uncle, cousin, doctor, and friend, entered into the glory of his eternal life on Sunday, January 24, 2010, at Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville with his loving wife and close friends at his side.

Marco was raised and lived in Hawaii. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army proudly serving his country during the Vietnam
Conflict as a medic. Upon completing his service, he returned to Honolulu and studied at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
He received his Bachelor of Nutrition Science in 1975 and his Master of Public Health there in 1977. He received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in 1982 from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio.

As a Captain in the U.S. Public Health Service Commission Corps, he joined the Brownsville Community Health Clinic to initiate the Podiatric Service in July of 1982. He then opened the Podiatric Service at Su Clinica Familiar in 1983 serving in Harlingen and Raymondville. He opened his private practice of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in Brownsville in 1984, and was the first podiatrist to have surgical privileges at Brownsville Medical Center now Valley Baptist Medical Center. In 1987, he opened his private office in Harlingen. Dr. Rubio-Ardila was an active staff member at both VBMC-Brownsville and Harlingen as well as at Valley Regional Medical Center.

He felt strongly and passionately about serving his community and fellow human beings. He worked closely with the Migrant Health Services in Wisconsin, California, and Texas. He donated his time and expertise to the Doctors without Borders Organization, caring for impoverished people in need in other countries.

He was an active member of the American Public Health Association since 1975, and received national recognition through his receipt of the Dr. Stephen Toth Memorial Award in both 1981 and 1997. Locally, he was a member of the Sembradores Unidos since its inception and the Mr. Amigo Association where he served on the Board of Directors. Dr. Rubio-Ardila was an art collector, and supported the performing arts in a variety of ways.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.

Left behind to eternally treasure his memories is his loving wife of 25 years, Sue Whaley Rubio-Ardila; his mother-in-law, Patricia B. Whaley (Dr. W.C. Whaley, Jr.+); a sister-in-law, Ann Whaley Sloss; a brother-in-law, James Whaley (Carla); his nephew, William Brann Whaley; and his niece, Alexandra Harper Burban Rifkin (Brian). He will also be missed by his cousins: Ligia Santamaria, Vera Santamaria Hinojosa, Esther Lescano Delgado, Alcira Lescano+, Daniel Forero, Alberto Forero, and Rosa Forero; his many friends and patients.

In accordance with his wishes, Dr. Rubio-Ardila was cremated. The family will begin to receive friends at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27th in the East Chapel at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. Msgr. Juan Nicolau will officiate the Memorial Service celebrating his life at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Military honors will be conducted at the memorial by the American Legion Post 43 Honor Guard under the direction of Commander Raul Leal.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial gifts in his name to the Dr. Rubio-Ardila Scholarship Fund at the UTB/TSC Development Office, 500 E. St. Charles, Brownsville, TX 78520 and (956) 882-4322. You may view, sign the guest book, and extend your condolences online to the Rubio-Ardila family at www.darlingmouser.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Darling-Mouser Funeral Home, 945 Palm Blvd., Brownsville, Texas 956-546-7111.

Sign the guestbook at: http://legacy.com/Valleystar/Obituaries.asp