Dr. Rodger Wade Pielet, 52, renowned and respected plastic surgeon, died Jan. 18 due to the effects of a stroke.
Pielet was born on Feb. 13, 1961 and raised in Aurora, Ill. He earned his undergraduate degree at Tulane University in New Orleans, La. and completed his medical degree at Tulane University Medical School. His career began as an academic at the University of Chicago where he served as an assistant professor of surgery for four years. Following his academic career, Pielet was a clinical associate at the University of Chicago for 10 years while also running his private practice both in Chicago and Miami, Fla., for the past 17 years.
Pielet is survived by his longtime partner, Christopher Roy; mother Barbara Pielet of Aurora, Ill. (father Jack Pielet, deceased); sister Dana Pielet (Dan Kohn); brothers John Pielet of Aurora, Ill., and Douglas Pielet (Mariette) of El Paso, Texas; five nieces; business manager and friend Caryle Johnson of Chicago; and his beloved dogs, Bennie and Ollie.
Known for his generous and kind spirit, Pielet volunteered his time and services on medical missions with Northwest Medical Teams traveling to remote Mexican villages where he performed pediatric and adult reconstructive surgery on those with congenital deformities. Numerous media outlets recognized Pielet for his techniques and innovations in cosmetic and aesthetic surgery. He appeared on WGN-TV, NBC-5, Oprah After the Show, Fox News, Access Hollywood and the Discovery Health Channel and was featured in the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Daily Herald, the Miami Herald, Wire Magazine and Star Magazine.
“Rodger maximized his life. He lived it with such intensity, vigor and energy,” Roy told Windy City Times. “Whether it was driving his boat or Aston Martin, flying a helicopter, darting between medical clinics, or performing his exceptional surgical skill in the operating room, he never seemed to tire.
“What, to me, seemed like an exhausting pace, he simply found exhilarating. He would always say, ‘Speed is knowing when to slow down’. With regards to Rodger, truer words were never spoken. After surviving cancer, Rodger realized life was too short for petty arguments about small inconveniences. He lived his life by this simple rule. Speaking about people in general Rodger said ‘I can’t stand bad behavior’. “
Private services have already taken place. In memory of Pielet, donations can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Imerman Angels.