Dr. Albert E. Rodriguez, 72, a Cuban-born orthopedic surgeon who was president of a branch of the Chicago Medical Society, died of pneumonia Monday, June 24, in Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. Dr. Rodriguez emulated his grandfather and older brothers–all physicians–when he enrolled at the University of Havana to study medicine. After graduation in 1955, he moved to Chicago where he completed his residency at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center. Dr. Rodriguez interned at St. Anne’s Hospital in Chicago and then established his orthopedic surgeon practice in Oak Park. He also was on staff at Oak Park Hospital, Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park and St. Anthony Hospital in Chicago. A patient and humorous man, Dr. Rodriguez was among the first in the Chicago area to do hip replacement surgeries for elderly patients. In 1984, he was elected president of the Chicago Medical Society’s Aux Plaines Branch, which covers the Far West Side and western suburbs in Cook County. Dr. Rodriguez, who lived for 25 years in River Forest before moving two years ago to Downers Grove, is survived by his wife, Olga; two daughters, Elaine Rodriguez and Arlene Rodriguez-Fitzpatrick; a son, Albert Jr.; a brother, Humberto; and four grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Galewood Chapels, 1857 N. Harlem Ave., Chicago. Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, at North and Lathrop Avenues, River Forest.
