In Memory of

Rudolph

Carmen

Camishion

MD

Obituary for Rudolph Carmen Camishion MD

Rudolph C. Camishion, MD

Surgeon and Teacher




            Dr. Rudolph C. Camishion of Cinnaminson, NJ passed away peacefully on June 13, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

           

            Son of Anthony and Florence Camishion, he was born July 16, 1927 in Riverside, NJ. He was predeceased by his wife of 42 years, Nancy, by daughters Mary Malone and Janice Piccone, and by his brother William. He is survived by daughters Germaine Camishion (Joseph Mammone), Sandra Carella (Charles), Elisa Cicchini (Gerald), and Nancy Banner (David); by his grandchildren, Christie, Chip, Renata, Julia, Holly, Ben, Alex, and Nick; by his great grandchildren, Amelia, Charlie, Callie, and Aaliyah; and by his brother Louis (Eleanor). He was a companion of the late Marjorie Callahan.



            He graduated from Camden Catholic High School and upon graduation, joined the US Navy where he served in the Pacific theater during the end of WWII. He then attended St. Joseph’s University and Jefferson Medical College where he was a member of the AOA Honor Society. He was a surgical resident at Jefferson under John H. Gibbon Jr., MD, who invented the heart lung machine. He remained at Jefferson and rose through the ranks to Professor of Surgery, joining Dr. Gibbon in practice of surgery. He became triple board certified in general, thoracic, and vascular surgery.



            He left Jefferson and joined Cooper Hospital, where he was appointed Professor of Surgery and Head of the Department of Surgery at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden and Chief of Surgery at Cooper University Hospital. He became president of the medical staff and member of the Board of Trustees.  In 1982 the faculty established the Camishion Surgical Society where yearly awards are presented to deserving surgical residents for research accomplishments. 



            Dr. Camishion continued his academic activities, authoring over 125 articles published in the surgical literature.  He served as president of Sigma Xi at Jefferson Medical College, New Jersey chapter of the American College of Surgeons, Delaware Valley Vascular Society, NJ Vascular Society, and the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery (the first surgeon based in NJ).

He was elected to several prestigious surgical societies, including the American Surgical Society, Society of University Surgeons, International Surgical Society, American Association of Thoracic Surgery, Society of Vascular Surgery, and many others. He was appointed Visiting Professor of Surgery in 1987 at the University of Pisa Medical School in Italy and made an honorary citizen of Giulianova, Italy, the city in which his father was born.   In 1991, he was awarded the Clarence E. Shaffrey Award for distinguished contributions to surgery by St. Joseph’s University.



            In addition to his true passion for the medical field, he had a wide variety of interests. In his spare time, he expressed his creativity in many diverse activities such as ham radio, golf, model (and actual) ship building, auto mechanics by rebuilding a car, flying model airplanes, and gentleman farming. He was an avid pianist and a pupil of maestro Alex Fiorillo of Philadelphia, however said “I never had the time to practice.” He loved sailing, and he and his wife Nancy enjoyed many beautiful moments together on the Chesapeake River.  He was an intrepid world traveler, especially in his retirement years.



            Dr. Camishion was devoted to his wife and 6 children. His family cherishes wonderful memories of times spent with him, and his unconditional love was forever evident.   He had a loving demeanor and his kindness, compassion, humility, work ethic, and wicked sense of humor defined him.  It is these qualities that endeared him to his family, friends and patients alike.  He had a strong Catholic faith which guided him throughout his life.



            He will be remembered as mentor of a large number of surgeons who served their residency under him, by his colleagues, patients and friends, and as a devoted husband and father.



            Friends are invited to services at Mount Laurel Home for Funerals from 9:00 to 10:30 AM on Saturday June 17th, with mass to follow at Saint Charles Church in Cinnaminson.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association.