Dr. Robert L. Fordtran, III, age 86, passed away June 5, 2017.  He was born on January 24, 1931 to Robert and Grace Fordtran and raised in Bishop, Texas.  He graduated from the University of Texas in 1952 with a degree in Pharmacy and from UTMB Galveston in 1956 as a Medical Doctor.  He completed his Internship at Memorial Medical Center where he met and married nursing student, Caroline Stevens. Dr. Fordtran served on active duty in the Navy aboard the USS Bexar as Chief Medical Officer with a rank of Lt. Commander from September 1957 – August 1959, and in the U.S. Naval Reserves for 8 years.  He completed Residency Programs in Cardiology and Internal Medicine at UTMB Galveston and became Board Certified in Internal Medicine in 1966.  He was devoted to the service of his profession.  Most notably, among many honors, he served Memorial Medical Center as its Chief of Staff in 1973, on its Board of Managers 13 years, and as Chairman of its Medical Education Committee for 30+ years; Nueces County Medical Society as its delegate to the TMA 16 years and Past President 1991; Charter and Board Member of Nueces County Medical Education Foundation; TMA as District 6 Councilor 6 years and Vice Councilor 2 years;  American Heart Association Board of Directors 25 years; Christus Spohn Physician Award 1999. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor, service to his patients, loyalty and devotion to his friends and family, and love of hunting, fishing, race horses, Beefmaster cattle, the color orange and all things Longhorn.  He is preceded in death by his wife Caroline and sister Peggy Shaffer.  He is survived by his daughter Caroline Bertuzzi (Mike), sons Robert Fordtran IV and Charles Fordtran (Maria), grandchildren Amanda and Alex Bertuzzi, step-grandchildren Jose Lee Galvan and Natalie Briones, niece Patti Perkins (Chuck), nephews Dr. William Shaffer (Diana), Dr. David Shaffer, and James Shaffer (Dayna), and numerous great nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Visitation will be at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, June 12, 2017. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 that same evening. A Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, all at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5620 Gollihar Rd., Corpus Christi, TX 78412. 
Interment to follow at Seaside Memorial Park.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Heart Assoc. in his memory.

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