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Cesar Humberto “Tito” Carrasco, MD (1948–1997)
In Memoriam
Cesar Humberto 'Tito" Carrasco, MD (1948-1997) Cesar Humberto "Tito" Carrasco, MD, a man of Excitement, Enthusiasm, and Excellence. He encouraged all of us, by example, to achieve more than we thought we were capable of doing. Tito demanded even more of himself. His major passions were Medicine, Mountain Climbing, and Music. In each of these endeavors, Tito Carrasco was an established expert. He was uncompromising in his quest for Excellence and Honesty from all those who were privileged to share his enthusiasm. Tito Carrasco was no ordinary athlete; he biked the West Coast of the United States and he jogged daily in preparation for the heights of the Andes and the Canadian Rockies. He was the first to ascend the difficult snow and ice-covered west face of Bolivia's Huayna Potosi peak. For all these he was affectionately known as the "Bolivian Bullet." The ability to overcome the challenges of nature was his high-he was truly liberated by the rarefied air. While climbing EI Potero Chico range near Monterey, Mexico, he met his death in a rock slide. Tito Carrasco died doing what he loved most. His relaxation was classical Music and Opera, which permeated his activities creating the soothing background in which he operated, both at work and at play. He appreciated the great composers, Richard Wagner in particular and "The Ring", especially. Tito taught us to appreciate the "finer" things in life. Most of all was his passion for Medicine. He came by that naturally for his father, Cesar Carrasco, Sr, was a general radiologist from La Paz, Bolivia. Tito Carrasco came to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in 1981 for a fellowship in Angiography and Interventional Radiology after completing his radiology residency at the Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. He demonstrated his academic, clinical, and technical expertise and was asked to join the M. D. Anderson staff in 1982, where he remained his entire career. In 1989, he earned the position of the Head of the Section of Interventional Radiology and, in the following year, the rank of Professor. Tito transmitted his tenacity for solving patient problems to his many residents and fellows. He documented his experiences in Interventional Radiology through his nearly 200 peer-reviewed original publications, invited articles, and book chapters. Above all, the welfare of the cancer patient was his driving force. Tito was committed to excellence in Medicine. He quietly commanded the same of all his associates. Tito was superb at his craft. Few were as technically adept. He always reveled in the difficult challenge. Tito was truly the consultant's consultant-always ready, willing, and so very able. Tito was also committed to Honesty-Honesty in Medicine, Honesty to the Patient, and especially Honesty to oneself. He was extremely critical of himself and what he could accomplish by his intervention. His adversary was Cancer, and oh, what a battle he fought. Dr. Carrasco is survived by his mother, Mary
896
Carrasco and Cesar Augusto Carrasco, his brother from La Paz, Bolivia; Magda and Lee Arbuckle, his sister and her husband, from Honduras; and their sons, Anthony and Andrew. The following most appropriately describes the life and death of Cesar Humberto Carrasco. Invictus by: William Ernest Henley Out of the night that covers me Black as the pit from pole to pole I thank whatever Gods may be For my unconquerable soul In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody but unbowed Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the horror of the shade And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid It matters not how straight the gate
How charged with punishment the scroll I am the master of my fate I am the captain of my soul
Sidney Wallace, MD Thomas S. Harle, MD William A. Murphy, Jr, MD
Cesar Humberto 'Tito" Carrasco, MD (1948-1997) Cesar Humberto "Tito" Carrasco, MD, a man of Excitement, Enthusiasm, and Excellence. He encouraged all of us, by example, to achieve more than we thought we were capable of doing. Tito demanded even more of himself. His major passions were Medicine, Mountain Climbing, and Music. In each of these endeavors, Tito Carrasco was an established expert. He was uncompromising in his quest for Excellence and Honesty from all those who were privileged to share his enthusiasm. Tito Carrasco was no ordinary athlete; he biked the West Coast of the United States and he jogged daily in preparation for the heights of the Andes and the Canadian Rockies. He was the first to ascend the difficult snow and ice-covered west face of Bolivia's Huayna Potosi peak. For all these he was affectionately known as the "Bolivian Bullet." The ability to overcome the challenges of nature was his high-he was truly liberated by the rarefied air. While climbing EI Potero Chico range near Monterey, Mexico, he met his death in a rock slide. Tito Carrasco died doing what he loved most. His relaxation was classical Music and Opera, which permeated his activities creating the soothing background in which he operated, both at work and at play. He appreciated the great composers, Richard Wagner in particular and "The Ring", especially. Tito taught us to appreciate the "finer" things in life. Most of all was his passion for Medicine. He came by that naturally for his father, Cesar Carrasco, Sr, was a general radiologist from La Paz, Bolivia. Tito Carrasco came to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in 1981 for a fellowship in Angiography and Interventional Radiology after completing his radiology residency at the Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. He demonstrated his academic, clinical, and technical expertise and was asked to join the M. D. Anderson staff in 1982, where he remained his entire career. In 1989, he earned the position of the Head of the Section of Interventional Radiology and, in the following year, the rank of Professor. Tito transmitted his tenacity for solving patient problems to his many residents and fellows. He documented his experiences in Interventional Radiology through his nearly 200 peer-reviewed original publications, invited articles, and book chapters. Above all, the welfare of the cancer patient was his driving force. Tito was committed to excellence in Medicine. He quietly commanded the same of all his associates. Tito was superb at his craft. Few were as technically adept. He always reveled in the difficult challenge. Tito was truly the consultant's consultant-always ready, willing, and so very able. Tito was also committed to Honesty-Honesty in Medicine, Honesty to the Patient, and especially Honesty to oneself. He was extremely critical of himself and what he could accomplish by his intervention. His adversary was Cancer, and oh, what a battle he fought. Dr. Carrasco is survived by his mother, Mary
896
Carrasco and Cesar Augusto Carrasco, his brother from La Paz, Bolivia; Magda and Lee Arbuckle, his sister and her husband, from Honduras; and their sons, Anthony and Andrew. The following most appropriately describes the life and death of Cesar Humberto Carrasco. Invictus by: William Ernest Henley Out of the night that covers me Black as the pit from pole to pole I thank whatever Gods may be For my unconquerable soul In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody but unbowed Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the horror of the shade And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid It matters not how straight the gate
How charged with punishment the scroll I am the master of my fate I am the captain of my soul
Sidney Wallace, MD Thomas S. Harle, MD William A. Murphy, Jr, MD