Dr. Alvaro Alandete, 83, devoted pediatrician to many of Hanover’s children for over thirty-five years, died on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at his home. He was at peace and surrounded by family.

Alvaro Alandete Bustillo was born on October 6, 1933 in Cartagena, Colombia, South America to the late Miguel Alandete and Mercedes Bustillo.

He graduated from the University of Cartagena Medical School in December 1960, and married the love of his life, Cecilia Pareja, on the 28th of that month. Immediately afterward, they moved from Colombia to the United States, where he completed his pediatric internship at Jefferson Hospital in Roanoke, Virginia. He finished his medical education with two years of pediatric residency at the Polyclinic Hospital in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and a third year as Chief Pediatric Resident at both Queens General Hospital and Long Island Jewish Hospital in Queens, New York. At Queens, he was responsible for the medical training of twenty-two students.

After receiving his medical license, and at the suggestion of a colleague, Dr. Alandete settled in Hanover, and was for many years the area’s only pediatrician. In addition to serving his patients, on his days off he volunteered at the Child Development Center in Abbottstown, PA, caring for the center’s developmentally disabled patients. He was a member of Hanover Hospital, served as president of its medical staff from July 1988 to June 1990, and was named Physician of the Year in 1986. He was a former member of the Rotary Club of Hanover, the Arcadian Club, and the Hanover Country Club. He proudly became a US citizen in 1970.

Dr. Alandete was known for his warm smile, the twinkle in his eye, his generous spirit, and his commitment to his patients and their families.

He is survived by his wife Cecilia Pareja de Alandete; five children: Miguel Alandete and his wife Joy; Alvena Pareja and her husband Jeff; Vicky Doll and her husband Chuck; Trish Strasbaugh and her husband Andy; and Javier Alandete and his wife Shelly; and twelve grandchildren, Alix Haller and her husband Jesse; Karina Pareja; Stephanie Pareja; Tracy Shrader; Jeffrey Pareja; Zachary Strasbaugh; Maya Alandete; Dominic Strasbaugh; Mia Alandete; Callia Alandete; Marco Alandete; and Massimo Alandete; and one sister, Maria Lourdes Alandete Bustillo. Additionally, he is survived by his brother-in-law Arturo Pareja and his wife Consuelo; sisters-in-law Norma Pierce and Vicky Griffith and her husband Larry; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by one sister, Myriam Alandete de Guardo; a brother, Arturo Raphael Alandete; and brother-in-law S. William Pierce.

Dr. Alandete was a long-term parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. As medical missionaries, he and Mrs. Alandete, as well as several of his children and grandchildren, made many trips to Honduras, where they provided care for thousands of that country’s impoverished children.

In his final year, Dr. Alandete was cared for by Jacqueline Vargas Gastley and Lloyd Gastley, whose love and devotion provided him much peace and comfort.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 AM, Saturday, September 30, 2017 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 220 High Street, Hanover, PA with Father Michael P. Reed, II as celebrant.  Viewings and time to share memories with the family will be from 1-3 PM and 6-8 PM, Friday, September 29, 2017 at the Kenworthy Funeral Home, Inc., 269 Frederick Street, Hanover, PA.  Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dr. Alandete may be made to: True North Kid Zone (www.truenorthwellness.org); Olivia’s House (www.oliviashouse.org); The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (https://alzfdn.org/);  St. Vincent’s Church (220 3rd Street, Hanover, PA, 17331); or the charity of your choice.

Memories and condolences maybe shared at www.kenworthyfh.com. 

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