"Dr. Ruiz truly cared about his patients. My husband and I both saw him. He was continually telling me I had to lose weight. Well Dr. Ruiz I am down 27 pounds in your memory and I won?t stop until I reach my goal. Here?s to you Dr. Ruiz, you will be missed. Tracy & Kevin Bixhop"
In loving memory of
Dr. Roberto Ruiz
May 26, 1957 - December 26, 2020
Dr. Roberto Ruiz, 63, was called by our Lord on December 26, 2020, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Dr. Ruiz is survived by his wife, Irma; his children, Brenda, Roberto Jr. and Dr. Gabriel; his grandson, Steven; and his brother, Efren.
Dr. Ruiz was born on May 26,1957 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He received his Doctor of Medicine at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico in 1978 and completed his Internship and Residency at Catholic Medical Center of Brooklyn, affiliated with Cornell Medical School in 1984. He opened his practice, the Southwest Internal Medicine Group, as an Internal Medicine physician, and treated thousands of patients in the valley over the last 30 years while becoming one of the leading minds in diabetes and cardiovascular disease. His passion led to the opening of the Arizona Diabetes Foundation, which provided education for other physicians nationwide. To be a physician was his calling in life, a profession that he truly loved and gave his whole heart and attention towards. He was adored by his patients, and was respected by fellow members in the medical community.
Dr. Ruiz lived a profound life. He was a wonderful physician, and a devoted husband and father. He was known for his vibrant larger than life personality. He enjoyed spending time with his family, taking vacations to Disney World, working out, laying on the beach, and watching baseball with his children. He was a devout Catholic who involved God in everything he did. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.
Dad,
Your life was a blessing, and your memory, a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. You were a great husband to our mom, a loving father, and a devoted grandfather. You will forever be our "Honey". Heaven has gained a perfect angel.
A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 16245 N 60th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Donations can be given at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-frontline-hero-dr-roberto-ruiz
Tributes
"Dr Ruiz was an amazing doctor and will be missed"
"To my beloved husband , there is nothing more difficult than to live without you. you have been a wonderful husband, father , grandfather and friend to many. No one like you , my Love. Wish I was with you. Love you with all my heart. "
"My Condolences to the Ruiz Family. Dr Ruiz had been my Doctor for many years. "
"Oh my what sad news. Roberto Ruiz and the Ruiz family were our neighbors for several years. He was always a fantastic guy with great stories and a big smile. He smiled when he talked about Irma and he gushed over his children Brenda Bobby and Gabby. He gave so much time for his kids and family. Our family is better off today because we knew Roberto Ruiz. We wish our best to Irma and the kids. What a shocking loss"
"My deepest sympathies to the Ruiz family. I have been a patient of Dr. Ruiz for 5 years and he was one of the nicest, kindest and most through doctors I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He always asked me how I was doing both emotionally and health wise. I actually looed forward to my office visits and his warm smile and caring attitude. He will be miss."
"My deepest sympathies to the Ruiz family. I was shocked to learn of his passing via our medical association newsletter. We worked together many years improving diabetes care locally and nationally. He was a shining example of the tremendous and far-reaching impact that one passionate physician can have. What an amazing legacy and and such an inspiration to us all. He left us too soon. Sincerely, Anita Murcko"
"I just found out yesterday of Dr. Ruiz\'s passing. I am sorry for your loss, I really am. My father passed on 7/09/2020 for the same reason. My father and Gregorio were the only two owners of Mary Lou\'s Market. Dr. Ruiz coincidentally was both their Doctor. Connie, was a great part of the team and it was the only phone number I memorized, I know it since 1995. May God have him in his Glory.......extremely sad news."
"My condolences to the family. Dr. Ruiz was an amazing doctor and he has left a great legacy in his family. I am going to miss you Doctor Ruiz. You helped me and my husband so much. You discovered illnesses in us that other doctors had not. We received the letter today and my heart just fell. I am so sad that you are gone. I am going to miss you so much. God gave you such a great gift and you were so intelligent and has so much common sense. I pray your son takes over your practice, just like you wanted. God bless your family and one day we will meet again in Heaven. Thank you for helping me and my husband heal. We agreed today, when we got the letter, that you saved both our lives with the wisdom God gave you. Rest in peace. Blessings unto your family. Sincerely, Rosa and Raul Bautista"
"Coach/Dr Ruiz is one of the finest men I?ve ever met. We coached baseball together when Bobby his son and my son Aaron were 11 years old.. Dr Ruiz was a tremendous Doctor , and loving father. I got to witness his love for Bobby during our Baseball time together.. with heartfelt sadness ; Mark Borenstein Love you Doc!! "
"I am shocked by Dr Ruiz\'s passing. I have never had a nicer doctor care for me. He truly spent time with you and listened. I want to pass my condolences onto his family. He will be greatly missed by our community. "
"I was truly stunned when I received notice today of Dr. Ruiz\'s passing. He has been my go-to physician for over 5 years, and I relied on Dr.Ruiz to always give me the straight story on my condition. He was a rare doc who was willing to spend time discussing my condition, never rushed my appointments and didn\'t rely on associates to provide a diagnosis. Sincere condolences to Dr. Ruiz\'s family and his wonderful office staff. He will be missed greatly. Robert Sanford"
" I?m so heartbroken to hear that we?ve lost Doctor Ruiz! I was a relatively new patient of his but he helped me so much with my weight loss and panic disorder. He was a fantastic doctor and a wonderful person! Sending many blessings to the familia. With Love and Respect, Lori Bravo ?"
"First and foremost I want to give your Family , Dr. Ruiz my deepest Condolence. I have known you since the 80?s when your were practicing at St Luke?s medical center in Phoenix. I moved away for a while from Arizona and came back looking for you to again be my Primary Care Physician. You are an inspiration to all you have helped along the way. We talked about sports, life in general and most of all your proper care for me. I will deeply miss you and remember you in my heart, you were passionate in all you have done for your patients. You sacrificed your life so could save mine. Godspeed and will see you and all our love ones when our time comes. God Bless your family. Sincerely, Joe Michael Moreno Jr"
"My wife Suzanne and I moved to Phoenix 4 1/2 years ago. Dr Ruiz was recommended to us , very soon after we moved here. He?s been our Dr for all that time . My father was an OB/ GYN in Bristol , for 47 years. He delivered over 13,000 Babies. He was one of kind in my mind. Dr Ruiz was also one of a kind. A true professional , a gentleman and a pleasure to interact with on my office visits.. My sincerest condolences to his family for their loss. Christopher A Holden & Suzanne Holden"
"Dr. Ruiz was my primary care physician. He always looked me in the eye and gave great care and advice. He was a wonderful person. So sorry for your loss."
"Irma and Family - Brenda and I are devastated and so saddened at your loss. My heart aches for the Ruiz family. I know we lost contact after leaving the Valley. You and Bob will be forever in our hearts. Irma, I often smile when I think of our working together and Brenda says the same of the days working at St. Luke's with "Dr. Bob." Special, special people. I pray for peace for you all. Lloyd & Brenda Haggard, Tulsa OK"
"Dr Ruiz was my doctor for almost 25 years and will be missed by me and so many for his kindness, thoughtfulness, caring, and help in times of need. He was an amazing man and doctor and always had time to listen, encourage and follow-up with his patients. I share in your sadness, and am sorry that I just learned of his passing today or I would have attended his service. I will keep your family in my prayers and offer my sincere sympathy. Wishing you peace....... Barbara Hyde, Phoenix"
"Dr. Ruiz gave me a couple grocery bags of samples of insulin when I lost my job & health insurance in March 2019. I couldn't afford to buy my own insulin at the time. He saved my life. I don't have enough words or thoughts to say he was truly a blessing to whomever he came in contact with. My heartfelt condolences to his family. May all of you have peace. Barry Stutesman Phoenix"
"Dr. Ruiz was an amazing physician who was passionate about helping his patients live better lives. It was an honor to call on him and work with him. My condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace."
"Dear Irma & Family; We are so sorry to hear about Roberto. He was a very special part of the St Luke?s Family! Our sincere sympathy ? Mary Starmann-Harrison & Greg Harrison"
"Dr Ruiz was my doctor for the 10 years I lived in Phoenix. His advice and care was always the best I could hope for. He was friendly, honest, and caring. I am sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace."