Roberto E. Acosta, MD

Roberto E. Acosta, MD, 86, of Singer Island, Florida passed away following a brief illness on June 23, 2024. The son of Dulce Sosa de Acosta and Esiquio Acosta, he was born in San Nicolas, Havana, Cuba on July 30, 1937. He spent his childhood with his only sister, Mercedes, and extended family. They later moved to Guines where he attended high school. During that time, he met the love of his life and wife of sixty-one years, V. Nancy Enriquez. Roberto attended medical school at the University of Havana until political tensions grew in Cuba. In 1965, fleeing communism, he left Cuba with Nancy and their two children. Subsequently, he completed medical school at the University of Salamanca in Spain. In 1966, he immigrated to the USA, finishing his medical training in internal medicine. The young family settled in West Palm Beach by way of Larned, Kansas, and Orlando, Florida.

Roberto practiced medicine in West Palm Beach for over forty years. He embodied the tenets of a physician displaying his intelligence, diagnostic skills, and compassion. With a mischievous sense of humor, he was well-known on the floors and in the doctor’s lounge of St. Mary’s Medical Center and Good Samaritan Hospital. At St. Mary’s, he served as Chief of Internal Medicine and was awarded emeritus status. Roberto is one of four physicians to currently hold that honor. He was an active member of the Palm Beach County Medical Society beginning in 1971. Upon retiring from private practice, he continued to share his medical expertise. He volunteered at the Community Health Center of West Palm Beach, becoming an integral part of the physician staff until 2020.

Roberto’s passion was the ocean. He moved to Singer Island to be on the water. He was an avid boater and fisherman. He took countless trips to the Bahamas and Florida Keys on his boat with family and friends to fish and enjoy the ocean. He instilled his love of the water in his children and grandchildren.

In 2011, Roberto became a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. He patrolled the Intracoastal Waterway, educated the public on boat safety, and performed boat safety checks. He was very proud to be affiliated with the USCG Auxiliary.

He is predeceased by his Wife Nancy Acosta (October 2023); sister-in-law Migdalia Levy, and brother-in-law Pedro Lamelas.

He is survived and greatly missed by his sister Mercedes Lamelas; sister-in-law Mauri Enriquez; brothers-in-law Pedro Enriquez and Jose Levy; His children: Lizet A. Guildford (James H. Guildford, MD), Roberto J. Acosta, MD (Ellen), and Edward J. Acosta (Barbara). He is blessed with 11 grandchildren: Mary E. Stride, MD (H. Parker Stride, MD), Alexandra M. Guildford, OD, Stephanie A. Acosta, Katherine A. Hosinski, MD (Patrick Hosinski), Samantha E. Guildford, Elizabeth L. Acosta, Andrew J. Guildford, Margaret G. Acosta, Jake E. Acosta, Natalie J. Acosta, Kyle J. Acosta; and Great-grandchildren Martha A. Hosinski and Elizabeth P. Stride.

The family will receive guests, Friday, June 28, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 754 US-1, North Palm Beach, FL. We will celebrate a funeral mass on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Clare Catholic Church, 821 Prosperity Farms Rd, North Palm Beach, FL 33408 with the interment to follow at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, Royal Palm Beach.