Dr. Gallo-Torres Dies in Arizona

Dr. Hugo E. Gallo-Torres, M.D., Ph.D., passed away peacefully in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.

Born in Talara, Peru, on August 16, 1934, Dr. Gallo-Torres received his medical degree from the Universidad de San Marcos in Lima, Peru, where he was in the top three of his class, earning him a scholarship to continue his studies.

Dr. Gallo-Torres emigrated to the U.S. in 1963, and earned a master’s degree in nutrition and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Columbia University in New York City. He completed his medical degree at Tulane University in New Orleans; all his degrees were completed on scholarships.

Dr. Gallo-Torres was the Director of Gastroenterology for Hoffmann LaRoche for nearly 20 years; the company was based in Basel, Switzerland and he lived there with his family for several years.

Later, he moved to Livingston N.J., and subsequently worked for the Food and Drug Administration for 25 years; his last position was as a medical officer in its division of gastrointestinal and coagulation drug products, where he was instrumental in the approval process of new drug applications.

He was a prolific and respected published author on research in the area of gastroenterology and liver diseases, and an adjunct professor at Hunter College in New York City. Dr. Gallo-Torres and his wife of 58 years, Julia, resided in Livingston, N.J., for more than 50 years. He leaves behind three children: Julia (Jay), and their children, Hugh and Joseph; Ranyika (Joe) and children Andre, Natasha, and Stephan; and Hugo (Kyrsten) and their children Westerly, Vienna, and Talara.

Visitation was held at the Messinger Indian School Mortuary in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Sunday, January 9. The funeral was held on Monday, January 10, at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church, Scottsdale, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.