Allen Richard Raczkowski, 60, of Scottsdale, passed away with his family by his side on Sunday, December 23, 2012, after a ten week battle with leukemia. He was born on February 4, 1952 to Frank and Eva (Curzydlo) Raczkowski in Wyandotte, Michigan and married his one true love Maria Lena Krasun on February 12, 1972, in Southgate, Michigan. An accomplished and gifted student, Allen graduated from medical school at Wayne State University in 1977. His surgical and cardiothoracic training was completed at the University of Wisconsin in 1984. His clinical practice, spanning nearly 30 years, was dedicated to the state of Arizona, divided between Tucson (1984-98; 2011 to present) and Phoenix (1998-2011).
Allen joined the University of Arizona Department of Surgery Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery as an assistant professor of surgery in October 2011. Recognized as one of the pioneers in robotic heart surgery, he performed nearly 400 robot-assisted heart surgeries during the course of his career and was the busiest proctor in the country for teaching others his
techniques. Allen’s passion was the use of surgical techniques to complete complex mitral valve repairs. He was one of the earliest adopters of robot-assisted heart valve surgery, with his first case in 2003. His involvement with robotics allowed him to achieve several “firsts.” He was the first in the world to perform robot-assisted aortic valve surgery and the first to use the robot to do mitral repairs on the non-arrested, beating heart. He was the first in Arizona to perform robotic mitral valve replacement and repairs, and the first to do a surgical maze procedure to treat atrial fibrillation. Allen will be missed by his loving wife Maria, his two children Mark Raczkowski (Jennifer) and Lisa Brigden (Glenn) of Phoenix, Arizona, and his two grandchildren Nathan and Layla. He is survived by his mother Eva, who was blessed to see his first and last breaths, his two brothers, Dennis (Lorraine) and Raymond, and sister Elaine Roffey (John). Allen was preceded in death by his father Frank. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 27, 2012, at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home at 4800 East Indian School Road in Phoenix, Arizona. A Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, December 28, 2012, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Community Church at 10815 North 84th Street in Scottsdale, Arizona. Burial will be at St. Francis Cemetery at 2033 N. 48th St Phoenix, AZ 85008. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01202 or Be the Match National Marrow Donor Program 3001 Broadway Street N. E. Suite 100 Minneapolis, MN 55413 or www.marrow.org.
Theresa Grant
Maria, Mark, Lisa, Aunt Eva, Dennis, Elaine and Ray…our deepest sympathies to all of you. Although we can not be with you at this time, know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Allen was a wonderful nephew and cousin. We will miss him dearly. May he rest in peace.
Love,
Walter and Anne Pretko and Jim and Theresa Grant
Cynthia (Raczkowski) and John Simon
Maria, Mark, Lisa, Aunt Eva, Dennis, Elaine and Ray,
We send our love, prayers and heartfelt sympathies to all of you at this difficult time. Allen was a bright light in our family who touched and enriched the lives of so many in a great number of ways. We love you all deeply and are with you in spirit, especially over these coming days. Stay strong. God is near.
All Our Love,
John & Cindy Simon
Betty and Peter Mitchell
Dear Maria, Mark (Jenny) Lisa (Glen), Eva, Elaine (John), Dennis (Lorraine), Ray:
We are so very sorry for your great loss. Even though we are miles away and cannot be with you at this difficult time, please know each of you are in our thoughts and prayers.We have wonderful memories of Al while visiting in Arizona. Your strong family ties and faith in the Lord will help you though the next few days and beyond.
Please know we are thinking of you and sending all our love.
Peter, and Betty–Chad and Karen–Lori and Ray. xo
Stephen R Thompson RN/CCP
Dear Maria, Lisa and Mark:
It is too hard to swallow this. What a great man, friend and above all a great surgeon. I have been blessed to have known and worked with Al. We had the best times together in Tucson. I guess I have to wait to ask God later….why?…but it is his plan not ours. I struggle with that but have to accept it. He is with the Lord now. Enjoy Heaven. Hope to see you there my brother.
God bless you Al
God bless you Maria Lisa and Mark
Steve Thompson
Payson, AZ
Gary & Cassie Pundt
Dearest Maria, Mark, Lisa & All of Al’s Dear Family
We were so very saddened to hear of Al’s untimely passing as a result of a devastating leukemia process. It is truly a shock that this terrible disease took him so quickly… our hearts are heavy. Please know thst our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Al was truly one sweet guy. As many have said… a kind, carting and gentle soul with a GREAT sense of humor. A dear friend of ours told us a story regarding an act of kindness that Al demonstrated to her and her dad. Back in 1990, Al performed emergency open heart surgery on our friend’s dad at St. Joe’s Hospital (Tucson). Our friend, a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital, had specifically asked Dr. Rackowski to come to SJH to perform the surgery on her dad. Though Al did not typically operate at SJH, he did so without hesitation. This is just one example of the kind of caring and “can do” guy Al was AND was known for throughout the Tucson medical community. The lifesaving surgery Al performed gave our friend and her family many more years of joy with their dad, husband and grandfather. Our friend stated that Dr. Raczkowski was the kindest and most compassionate surgeon she had ever known. She and her family were forever grateful to him.
On a personal note… We will always cherish our friendship with Al and will never forget the fun / silly times we’ve had at Lake Powell with the “Racz” and Maria. Al Buddy… We’ll see you on the lake. “Na Zdrowie”
With Much Love & Sincere Sympathy…
Cassie & Gary Pundt
Tubac, Arizona
Peggy Roffey
Dear Elaine, Eva, Maria, and extended family: Our hearts are sad at the news of your untimely loss of Al, a fine son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. His obituary speaks of a life of great achievement, commitment and contribution, a tribute to all of you who loved him and supported him in his life and work. Love to you all.
Peggy and Roy
Diana Rodriguez Douglass
Maria and family –
It has been many years since our paths have crossed, but please know that you and your kids are in my thoughts and the comfort of family and friends help you through this difficult time.
Warmly,
Diana
Terry Bustamante RN
I am saddened by the news of Dr. Racz’s passing… our ‘go to guy’ in the cath lab at Banner Heart. One of the smartest people I had ever met and yet one of the funniest. What a great teacher for our nurses. Wise is a better word.. and we will be less without him. Wow. Thank you for sharing with us…Terry
Tina Mazur
I grew up with Al as a Perfusionist. My memory is long.
Maria, Mark and Lisa–There are no words that I can come up with to ease your pain. Please know that if you ever need to talk, I am here for you.
Diane Zantop
Blessings to all of Allen’s family! Many years have passed and we’ve move on and expanded our lives in so many ways …but memories of Pleasant Street are sweet. Hiolding you in my heart. Much love to all of you!
Lisa and Victor Aguilar
I am very saddened of the hearing of Dr Raczkowski’s passing. Great memories of Him and Maria and the kids. Working with him was amazing and you all hold a place in my heart. Victor always said that he was the smartest man he knew and if he was on “Who want to be a Millionaire” that Raz would be his lifeline. Blessings you during this time.