Rudolph F. Weichert III, MD

Rudolph F. Weichert III, MD, a dedicated family man and distinguished surgeon, passed away on June 1, 2024, at the age of 89. Born on February 27, 1935, in Tulsa, OK, Rudolph, known to friends and family as "Rudy” led a life marked by educational fulfillment, professional excellence, and appreciation of his large and loving family.

During the pre-war years, Rudy lived in Hungary and Romania. He and his mother left Europe when the Germans invaded Poland. The reunited family settled in New York and afterwards moved to Toronto and then to Tulsa, OK where Rudy attended Central High School and was a State Champion wrestler. Unbeknownst to him, his future wife Johanna was four years behind him at Central.

Following in his parents' footsteps he attended Rice University. And while not achieving the Phi Beta Kappa status that both his parents were awarded; he was an excellent student who, from ninth grade onward, had his eyes set on a medical career. Not any medical career but the one he considered the most difficult—cardiovascular surgery, which he described as being in the early 60s at the “the forefront of medicine, the most difficult surgery. The physician that could do that could do anything.”

After graduating from Tulane Medical School in 1961, Rudy and his beloved wife, Johanna, embarked on a cross-country journey to San Francisco, stopping in Las Vegas to see Sammy Davis Jr.’s opening show. In San Francisco, he completed his internship at the Presidio's Public Health Hospital and their first child, Virginia (Ginger) Elizabeth Weichert, was born at Letterman Army Hospital.

Returning to Tulane University for surgical training, Rudy specialized in General, Thoracic, Vascular, and Cardiac Surgery. His early career took him and his family, which now included their son Rudolph (Rick) F. Weichert IV, to various medical institutions across Louisiana. By the time he completed his training and became board certified, Rudy had made significant contributions to the medical field through numerous publications and by joining the faculty at Tulane as an Assistant Professor of Surgery.

In 1971, Rudy joined Dr. Charles Pearce and Dr. White Gibson in a thriving private practice in pulmonary and cardiovascular surgery, where he remained for the rest of his career. He served as Chief of Surgery and Chief of Thoracic Surgery at several hospitals including Hotel Dieu (University Hospital), Touro, Mercy, and St Charles General. He played a crucial role in establishing the Cardiac Surgery program at the Veterans Hospital in New Orleans. His dedication to teaching was evident in his long-standing affiliations with both Tulane and LSU, mentoring countless students and residents. Rudy wrote that “my relations with students and residents through the years are some of my most pleasant memories.”

During his working career, Rudy took his family on fabulous vacations. For two weeks, each year for 15 years, the family went to West End, Grand Bahama, where Rudy was the hotel doctor. He always managed to take the family sailing, snorkeling, dancing, and golfing--lots of golf--he was an excellent golfer. The family continued many of these traditions in Perdido, Florida. The family skied in Vail, Snow Mass, Beaver Creek each year, ultimately buying a place in Park City, Utah, which became a second home.

In August of 1995, Rudy appeared on the cover of the New Orleans Magazine that was titled Top Doctors. Rudy is quoted as saying, “The sight of a beating heart is a very exciting, beautiful thing to look at. The colors are magnificent- the greens, the reds, the pinks, the blues- it is as pretty as a fall day in Connecticut. It’s alive.” “I don’t think that anyone lives a life more exciting than a cardiac surgeon.”

Rudy retired decades ago, intentionally in the prime of his career, to dedicate his time to his family and travel. He especially enjoyed summers with friends and family at their home in Park City, and indulged his passion for travel, reading, and golf. Rudy had an infectious laugh, loved a good joke, and thought the gift of time spent with family and friends over nice meals of crawfish, duck, fried oysters, or fresh fish, accompanied by a cold beer were some of life’s greatest pleasures.

Rudy is survived by his wife Johanna Campbell Weichert, their daughter Virginia Weichert Gundlach (Walter), son Rudolph Frederick Weichert, IV (Suzanne Farnsworth Weichert), six granddaughters: Marcelle Gundlach Wainer (Josh), Johanna Gundlach Byrne (Tucker), Jamie Gundlach, Elise Gundlach, Lauren Weichert and Jane Weichert and two great granddaughters, Ruth and Millie Wainer. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, whose life was a testament to dedication, hard work, and the pursuit of excellence. He will be remembered and missed.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home on June 10, 2024, followed by a memorial service at 1:00. A celebration of Rudy's amazing life will take place following the service at the Audubon Park Clubhouse. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice.