Robert L. Replogle ’56

Cardiothoracic surgeon Robert L. Replogle ’56, of Chicago, Illinois, died May 9, 2016, at age 84. He was a notable figure in cardiothoracic surgery worldwide.

He was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, and moved to Clear Lake, Iowa, at the age of 7. He came to Cornell College in 1949, where he studied biology, played football, and was part of the nationally ranked wrestling squad.

His studies were interrupted by the Korean conflict, and he served in the Navy with the Naval Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School, trained as a general and cardiothoracic pediatric surgeon, and took an initial faculty position with Boston Children’s Hospital. He became a pediatric surgeon at the University of Chicago, where he headed the congenital heart surgery program, mentored numerous surgeons into outstanding academic careers, and published over 100 scientific papers and book chapters.

Although he contributed immeasurably to clinical medicine and education, his greatest professional accomplishments were related to his leadership abilities. His brother Ralph had cerebral palsy and Replogle worked with families in Clear Lake who had members with the disease to found Opportunity Village, which provides a home for adults with disabilities. It currently supports more than 600 people from more than 30 communities.

He was active in the beginnings of a number of professional organizations, most notably the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, of which he served as president in 1996. He also served as a member of the Cornell College Alumni Board of Directors and received the college’s Distinguished Achievement Award in 2001.

He became a wine connoisseur later in life, and loved to entertain friends and colleagues over his favorite wine selections.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Carol Heeschen Replogle ’60, three children, and nine grandchildren.