Ignacio Y. Christlieb, M.D.

Ignacio Y. Christlieb, M.D.

Of Aspinwall, on Friday, August 26, 2022.  Beloved Husband of 48 years to Graciela C. (Coria) Christlieb, loving father of Lourdes Christlieb (Gilberto Acevedo), Alfredo Christlieb (Joyce), Marcela Christlieb (Jack Luszczynski), Jose Christlieb, M.D. (Marcela), Graciela Christlieb, Marta-Alicia Christlieb, Fransisco Xavier Christlieb (Tabitha) and the late Cecilia Christlieb; cherished grandfather of Juan, Marco, Lourdes, Caitlin, Kendall, Connor, Roman, Nicki, Marcela, Alexandra, Michael, Martalicia, Isabel and Isaac; adored great-grandfather of Miguel, Alejandro, Carlos, Ava, Cecilia, Alexandra and Hazel; brother of Carmen and Teresa as well as the late Martha, Alfredo, Adolfo, Amparo, Alfonso, Javier and Jorge.

Dr. Christlieb was born in Mexico City to Alfredo and Paula Christlieb on September 15, 1928. After graduating from the Colegio Francés De Preparatoria de Mexico, Dr. Christlieb received his M.D. from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Escuela de Medicina. Dr. Christlieb completed residencies at the C. & O. Hospitals of Virginia and West Virginia, Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, and University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, VA in General Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, and Cardiovascular Surgery/Surgical Research respectively. Dr. Christlieb then returned to Mexico City where he headed the department of Surgical Research at the Insituto Nacional de Cardiologia for fifteen years. Dr. Christlieb and his family moved to the United States in 1977.

Dr. Christlieb was the Research Associate Professor of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO from 1977 to 1985. In 1985, Dr. Christlieb joined the Allegheny-Singer Research Institute in Pittsburgh, PA as the Director of its Thoracic Surgical Research Section. Dr. Christlieb was a member of 20 medical societies and has published over 60 scientific papers, primarily in the fields of cardiopulmonary perfusion and myocardial protection. Dr. Christlieb holds multiple patents for scientific innovations related to his field.

Viewing will be private for family only.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, August 31 at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Parish, St. Scholastica Church, 309 Brilliant Ave., Aspinwall.  The funeral Mass will be live streamed on the Weddell-Ajak Funeral Home Facebook page.  Interment will be private.  

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?cID=14262&pID=24671&frequency_selected=2&sc_icid=wtg-mm-memorialcards

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