Dr. Frank A. Raila

Military Honors and graveside services for Dr. Frank A. Raila, are scheduled for 11:00am on Friday, December 12, 2014, from the Old Post Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. Please report to origin forty-five minutes to 1/2 hour prior to start time. Directions to the Old Post Chapel from the Welcome Center www.arlingtoncemetery.milHead northeast on Memorial Avenue from the Welcome Center. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto the Arlington Blvd./US-50 ramp. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for US-50. Continue toward Arlington Blvd./US-50 and merge onto Arlington Blvd./US-50. Take the exit toward Fort Myer (same ramp as Rosslyn/ Key Bridge). Turn left at N Meade Street (a sign also directs you to Fort Myer). Turn right onto Marshall Drive and proceed through Wright Gate onto Fort Myer. Marshall Drive becomes Jackson Avenue. Continue up the hill on Jackson Avenue until you get to the 4-way intersection of Jackson and Lee Avenue. Turn left onto Lee Avenue and continue on to the four way stop sign, the Old Post Chapel will be directly in front of you. Please report to origin forty-five minutes to 1/2 hour prior to start time. Frank Arthur Raila, MD, 89, of Brandon, MS died of respiratory and congestive heart failure related to a para-nephric abscess and infection at the University Mississippi Medical Center early Saturday morning, September 6, 2014. He had been taken there from his home in Brandon where his son, Joshua, had been his primary caretaker in recent years. He was comforted during his final days by his son, daughter, friends, caretakers, and medical colleagues. Visitation will begin at 10am Thursday, September 11, 2014 in the Theater at Pinelake Church, Reservoir Campus, 6071 Hwy 25, Brandon, MS, with services at 12 Noon. Followed by a reception. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS. Dr. Raila was born in Chicago, IL on July 26, 1925 to Lithuanian immigrants, Frank Raila, a US Postal Service employee, and Janet Raila, a cashier at a grocery store. He graduated from Lindblom High School in Chicago. He obtained a BA from Loyola University in 1950, and a MS from the University of Illinois Graduate School in 1953. He obtained his MD in 1957 on a GI Bill from Loyola University’s Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, IL. He did his residency at Long Beach Veterans Administration Medical Center in diagnostic radiology from 1963-66. In 1967 the American Board of Radiology certified him as a radiologist. He would become Director of the M4 Radiology Program at University of Mississippi Medical School from 1988-1996, where he served on the UMC Faculty Senate. In 1997 he became an ABR certified neuroradiologist. He retired as Professor Emeritus teaching radiology and neuroradiology at the University of Mississippi Medical School from 1988-2002. He was an avid reader, passionate supporter of the arts and cultural events. Dr. Raila was licensed to practice medicine in Illinois (primary), California, Georgia, Texas, Mississippi, New Zealand, and Panama. He was the author of numerous scholarly publications and abstracts on CT, MRI and radiological imagery, including a study manual and interactive CD-ROM "M4 Radiology" and contributed to several medical journals, including Journal of Neurosurgery, Journal of Mississippi State Medical Association, Southern Medical Journal, Journal of Neuro-Oncology, and Surgical Neurology on topics such as neurological surgery, pediatric cranial, spine and skeletal radiology studies. He was the recipient of several awards during his 45-year medical career from colleagues and peers, some of which include the American Medical Association Physician's Recognition Award, Best Doctors in America, Incentive Award for Equipment Design & Construction for Radiology, Outstanding Support for Equal Employment Opportunity of Placement of Handicapped Personnel and Excellent Support of Teaching and Patient Care Programs. In 1961-62 Dr. Raila did medical missionary work in Bahia, Brazil, inoculating thousands of children at Sister Irma Dolce's orphanage where helped to establish several medical clinics. He served as a PFC in the US Army during WWll, and was a POW escapee who survived the Battle of the Bulge (1944-45). Lt. Colonel (retired), Raila also served in the US Army Reserve Medical Corps. He received a Combat Infantry Badge and US Army Achievement Medal. Studs Terkel interviewed him for his military experiences for his 2000 book "Will the Circle be Unbroken? Reflections on Death, Rebirth and Hunger a Faith" and Gerald Astor's 1993 book "A Blood Dimmed Tide: the Battle of the Bulge by the Men Who Fought It.” In 2012, he took the Chicago Honor Flight with ninety-three WWll veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the WWll Memorial. His military service was honored and recognized from personal tribute letters from family, friends, fellow veterans, governor of Illinois, state senator, commissioners and two congressional resolutions. In 1985, Dr. Raila successfully battled rare liposarcoma but lost one kidney. In 1995 he survived a coronary by-pass and numerous hospitalizations for atrial fibrillation before receiving a pacemaker in 2003. A global community of relatives, colleagues, and friends thought he might live forever, so resolutely did he meet each battlefield and medical challenge that came his way starting as an 18 year old combat solider. Dr. Raila is survived by his two sisters, Dolores (Abderholden-Antioch, IL) , Florence (Lessner-Santa Rosa, CA,), sons Frank (Pineville, LA), John (Alexandria, LA), Philip (Alexandria, LA), James (Pineville, LA), Mathias (Elmer, LA), Joshua (Brandon, MS), daughters Paula (Sydney, AU), Simone (Boudreaux-Alexandria, LA), Andrea (Chicago, IL), Nicole (Christchurch, NZ), and seven nieces and nephews,16 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He was married and divorced three times, predeceased by his first wife, Harry Lee, survived by second and third wives, Maria and Antoinette. A military burial will be held in the fall at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you consider registering for as an organ donor. Donations can be made in his honor to Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago or the Smile Train, free global surgery for cleft palate children.

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