Dr. Rene Navarro

Rene Navarro, M.D. passed away at home on November 15, 2015 in Lake Wales. He was born on September 22, 1936 in Caraveli, Peru, South America to Alfredo Navarro and Benilda Arias de Navarro.

Dr. Navarro attended primary and secondary school in Caraveli, Peru then went to Saleciano Catholic School in Lima, Peru. He graduated from University of Buenos Aires Medical School. His first year of residency in internal medicine was at American Medical Clinic, Lima, Peru. In 1964 he came to the United States for the first time to continue his medical training in internal medicine at Springfield Hospital in Springfield, MA and Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI. Before he returned to Peru, Dr. Navarro trained further in diabetes as a sub-specialty at Joslin Clinic in Boston, MA, the leading research diabetes clinic in the United States.

In 1972 he returned to Lima, Peru to accept a position at the San Marcos University as a professor and another position in charge of the hospital diabetes department at Employee Hospital. By 1976 Dr. F. Ancaya who had been a resident of Lake Wales and a former classmate in medical school convinced Dr. Navarro to come to Lake Wales to open a medical practice. Dr. Navarro opened his medical practice in the summer of 1976, where he continued to practice for the next 34 years. While a member of the Lake Wales Medical Center medical staff, he served as Chief of Staff, Chief of Department of Medicine, Lake Wales Medical Center Board of Trustees, as Medical Staff representative and numerous other committees. He also served as Medical Director for Dove Health Care and First American Home Health.

During his years in practice, he was a member of the American Medical Association, Polk County Medical Association and PCMA Executive Board, America Diabetes Association and Peruvian American Medical Association. In 1977, he joined the Lake Wales Noon Rotary Club, where he participated in the Singing Wheels and obtained the Paul Harris Award in 1995.

His hobbies and free time were enjoyed by fishing, swimming, playing tennis, traveling, photography, spending time with his family and walking around Lake Wailes Lake carrying his little pal, Champ. He attended Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lake Wales.

Dr. Navarro was preceded in death by his parents, Alfredo Navarro and Benilda Arias de Navarro; brothers, Carlos H. Navarro and Alfred Navarro; and a sister, Maria Navarro.

He is survived by his wife, Jane Griffin of Lake Wales; their son, Dr. Ricardo Navarro and his wife, Aleia of New Port Richey; grandsons, Justin Pate, Carson Navarro and Roman Navarro; brothers, Walter Navarro (Rosa) of Lima, Peru and Gustavo Navarro (Maribe) of Barcelona, Spain.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales with Rev. Terrill Gilley officiating.