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Anatolio Benedicto Cruz Jr., MD, Captain, MC, USNR (ret) Founding faculty member of the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio and renowned oncologist and surgeon, Dr. Anatolio Benedicto Cruz Jr., died Sunday, May 21 in San Antonio, Texas. He was 89. Dr Cruz, known to friends as Tony, was born in Manila on June 20, 1933, to Anatolio Benedicto Cruz, Sr., and Francesca Fermin Cruz. When his father, a surgeon in the United States Armed Forces in the Far East, opted to fight with the guerrillas against Japanese occupation in WWII, Tony, as the oldest of nine children, assumed many of his father’s responsibilities at just nine years of age. Dr Cruz’s experiences during WWII shaped a personal philosophy that would guide him for the remainder of his life. It started with a commitment to always be honest, consistent and to keep things simple. He summed up his approach to every action in his life to “always do the right thing.” He later reflected, “I began to understand that to serve one’s country is honorable and to do things well is do it with honor and dedication. Courage allows you to accomplish your goals, especially in the face of great odds.” After the war, Tony graduated from the University of the Philippines in Quezon City with a degree in chemistry and biology. It was there that he met his future wife and lifelong friend, Rosalina “Rose” Sedillo Cruz. They were married April 28, 1955. In 1957, Dr Cruz earned his MD from the College of Medicine, University of the Philippines, followed by an MS in surgery from the University of Minnesota Graduate School in Minneapolis, MN. In 1963, while working with Dr. C. Walton Lillehei, Dr Cruz devised a free-floating heart valve, a significant advancement in medicine at the time. The valve was later modified and was patented as the Lillehei-Cruz-Kaster artificial heart valve. After general surgery residencies at Mount Sinai and Ancker hospitals in Minnesota, Dr Cruz practiced in the Philippines and Canada before moving his family to San Antonio in 1966 where he began a remarkable career at the UT Medical School at San Antonio, which evolved to the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. In a career that spanned more than forty years, Dr Cruz served as a surgical instructor, professor, and founding chief of surgical oncology. The tradition of service to the United States begun by Dr. Cruz’s father in World War II was furthered by Dr Cruz, who served as a physician in the United States Navy Reserve, deploying as a surgeon on the USNS Mercy during the first Persian Gulf War. He retired as a USN captain after twenty years of distinguished service. Tony’s oldest daughter, Raquel Cruz Bono, became the first Filipina and female surgeon to achieve the rank of vice admiral in US Navy history. Raquel’s brother, Anatolio “AB” Cruz III, also attained the rank of rear admiral, making them the first brother and sister ever to serve at Flag rank concurrently. Dr Cruz was the recipient of the Thomson Gale American Men and Women of Science award; the Outstanding Educator award from the University of Philippines Alumni Society of America; the First Honorary Lecturer, Most Distinguished Alumnus, Phi Kappa MD Frate and was recognized as the Best Clinical Teacher by the Junior Class UTMSSA. During his career, Dr Cruz made substantial contributions to the advancement of medicine and surgery. His work and legacy lives on through the over 10,000 medical students he helped graduate, and the physicians and surgeons he taught, molded, and mentored. He was a leader in breast oncology clinical trials and an author of numerous studies which revolutionized breast cancer treatment. Dr. Cruz was a pioneering advocate for breast conserving surgical care, holding steadfast to this even in the face of significant peer criticism. Breast conserving treatment is now the standard practice for most breast cancer patients. Dr. Cruz served as president of the American College of Surgeons, South Texas Chapter, and the president of the San Antonio Surgical Society. Dr Cruz and his wife Rose were devoted parishioners of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in San Antonio, where he served as the president of the Holy Spirit school board from 1970-1972. He was also a member of the Antonian Prep School Board. When he wasn’t spending his time in service to his patients, the community, or the adopted country he loved so much, Tony loved to read, study history or work on classic cars. An involved and engaged father, Tony always found time to umpire his sons’ CYO baseball games, cheer at his daughters’ swim meets and tennis matches; and remained a frequent advisor and confidante to all of them into their adulthood. In addition to his wife, Tony is survived by his children; Raquel Cruz Bono and husband Art Dwight, Anatolio “AB” Cruz III and wife Jill Lynch Cruz, Roselle “Pinky” Cruz Osterman. He was predeceased by his son, Anthony “Tony” Cruz, who is survived his wife Honor Hulo Cruz. He also leaves eight grandchildren, Corey Cruz, Caroline Cruz, Taylor Bono, Lauren Osterman, Ben Cruz, Ana Cruz, Grace Dwight, Aly Dwight; two great-grandchildren, Luka and Link Cruz. He leaves his brothers Walter and Lincoln and his sisters Ileana, Nancy, Frances, Glory, and Virginia. He was predeceased by his brother Wally. Rosary will be recited at 9:15 a.m., prior to the 9:45 a.m., Mass of Resurrection at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Interment to follow in Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in the memory of Dr Anatolio B. Cruz, Jr, to Holy Spirit Catholic Church (https://www.holyspiritsa.org) or the Department of Surgery, UT Health, San Antonio (https://lsom.uthscsa.edu/surgery).

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Anatolio Benedicto Cruz, Jr., MD, Captain, MC, USNR (ret)

June 20, 1933 - May 21, 2023