David Padrino

David Robert Padrino, MD, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 20, 2024. Born in Havana, Cuba, on March 17, 1946, Dr. Padrino was the eldest child of David Padrino Calzadilla, MD, and Señora Ilda Arbelo Santiago.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of more than 53 years, Susan Aileen Padrino; his children, Susan L. Padrino Iler, MD, of Ohio; Patricia A. Padrino, Esq., of NM; and David A. Padrino, MBA, of Washington, DC; son-in-law, Mark Iler, MD, of Ohio; daughter-in-law, Lindsey Padrino, MBA, of Washington, DC; grandchildren, Zachary, Gabriela, and Andrew Iler; Lily and Luke Tucker; and Isla, Eleanor, and Vivian Padrino; brother, Blas E. Padrino, Esq., of Florida; sister, Mercedes Padrino Anderson, MAT, of Pennsylvania; sisters-in-law, Florence Mercer, MLS, and Vera Padrino; brothers-in-law, John Mercer and Dale Anderson; and his nieces and nephews, Dinora Padrino Lemos, MEd and Juan Lemos Bermúdez, MA; Blas and Annie Padrino, Laura Padrino, and Sebastian Padrino; Daniel Anderson, EdD and Sarah Faude, PhD, and Charles Anderson; and Martha Mercer and Lauro Ribeiro; and nine great-nephews and nieces.

Dr. Padrino grew up in Cuba and came to the United States in 1962, at the age of 16. He lived in New York City and earned his bachelor's degree from the City College of New York. Shortly after marrying Susan in 1970, the couple moved to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, where he studied medicine at the university, earning his MD in 1976. Their two daughters, Susan and Patricia, were born in Spain. Upon the family's return to the United States, they settled in the Baltimore, Maryland, area, where he practiced medicine and they lived for many years, and where their son, David was born. Dr. Padrino and his wife moved to the Albuquerque area in 2001, and he practiced medicine in Rio Rancho and Santa Fe until retiring in 2010.

Dr. Padrino believed in commitment, service and caring for others, and he lived these values through his work and in the way he lived his life. He loved being a doctor and healer. As a doctor, he took special care of his elderly patients, and made a point of giving each patient the time they needed.

Dr. Padrino loved researching and preserving history, including the joy he found in his collections of baseball cards, stamps, art, models, and books. He enjoyed surrounding himself with the work of local artists. He was dedicated to continuous learning and was always reading books about history, science, literature, and politics. He was an educator and storyteller. Dr. Padrino had an adventurous side as well, with a deep love of travel and exploration, including his many scuba diving trips, trips around Europe and most recently, his trip to China. He also loved playing, singing, and listening to rock and roll music, even joining a band and producing a rock CD later in his life.

As much as Dr. Padrino had his own interests and enjoyments, his greatest love has always been his family, and his choices were greatly shaped by that love. He was a dedicated and generous husband and father, and he loved his family deeply.

A private service will be held at Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque, NM, on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the International Rescue Committee (https://help.rescue.org/donate), which supported Dr. Padrino's parents when they were finally able to immigrate to the United States in 1967.