Doctor understood unseen wounds can hurt most
In dealing with wounded veterans at the Veterans Affairs hospital in East Liberty, Dr. Andres Oliver understood what the ravages of conflict could do to young men.
"Because of the advanced medical treatments on the field of battle, many servicemen who would have died from their wounds in previous wars were saved," said his son, Dr. Jose Oliver. "But they had to face psychological problems not experienced by earlier veterans. My father, who is a compassionate doctor and man, found it painful to deal with."
Dr. Andres L. Oliver, of Oakmont, a neuropsychiatrist, died from cancer Friday, April 11, 2003, at home. He was 75.
Born in Barcelona, Spain, Dr. Oliver was an only child. His family fled Spain for Puerto Rico at the start of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, and Dr. Oliver graduated from high school there in 1945. Dr. Oliver then attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., before receiving his undergraduate degree from the InterAmerican University in Puerto Rico.
Returning to Spain, he completed his medical training at the School of Medicine at the University of Barcelona, and in 1953, married Nuria Zamorano, a young nurse to whom he had been introduced.
In 1956, Dr. Oliver completed his medical internship at the municipal hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and in the ensuing years, completed his residency in neurology at the University of Puerto Rico, lectured on tropical medicine and became involved in pubic health and malpractice legalities.
"My father appreciated the opportunity to come to the United States and to Pittsburgh in 1976 to associate with the VA hospital," said his son, who teaches anthropology at the University of London. "Dad needed a change. He found the tranquility and ambiance of the city of Pittsburgh, along with the revitalization that took place in the 1970s, gave him peace of mind."
After the death of his wife, Nuria, Dr. Oliver in 1989 married Catherine Gatto, whose background was also in psychology. Upon his retirement in the early 1990s, Dr. Oliver, who enjoyed archaeology and at one time had aspirations of entering the field, volunteered and worked with David Watters, director of the Department of Anthropology at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
Dr. Oliver is survived by his wife, Catherine Gatto Oliver; daughter, Nuria Stewart, of Fort Worth, Texas; sons, Dr. Jose Oliver, of London, Jorge Oliver, of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Miguel Oliver, of Etna; and seven grandchildren.
Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Burket-Truby Funeral Home, 421 Allegheny Ave., Oakmont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Monday at St. Irenaeus Catholic Church, Oakmont.
