Dr. Francis X. Van Houten passed away early in the morning of Sunday, April 30 at his home in Concord, at the age of 83. Known to everyone who loved him as Rusty, Dr. Van Houten persevered over poverty and formidable adversity to lead an extraordinary life, both personally and professionally.
Adopted at birth in West Nyack, New York, Rusty became orphaned again during high school in Peekskill, New York. Rusty was provided shelter by kind neighbors until he left for college. He attended Stepinac High School where he graduated with honors before attending Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts where he also excelled as a biology major. It was at Holy Cross where Rusty met the love of his life, Marjorie Fiorentino, an undergraduate student at the nearby Elms College for Women.
Rusty attended Georgetown University Medical School where he graduated cum laude before starting his internship at the University of Pittsburgh where he developed an interest in radiology. Subsequently, Rusty joined the Navy where he served as a medical officer, including seven months aboard a destroyer division bound for Vietnam. Following his Naval service, Rusty embarked on his residency in internal medicine at Peter Bent Brigham hospital in Boston before pursuing radiology in private practice. He eventually joined the private practice of Concord Radiologists and was affiliated with Emerson Hospital in Concord, where he also served as Chief of Staff. Beyond his core medical practice, Rusty served as the president of the Massachusetts Medical Society and a Massachusetts delegate to the American Medical Association.
Rusty is survived by a family who adored and admired him beyond words, including his sons, Paul and Scott Van Houten, his son-in-law, Tom Flynn, his daughter-in-law, Christina Van Houten, and his grandchildren, Will, Jack, Rowan, and Turner Van Houten.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass on Wednesday, May 17 at 10 am in Holy Family Parish at St. Bernard’s Church, 12 Monument Square, Concord Center. A private burial will follow at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and a celebration of his life open to everyone will take place at Concord Country Club following the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations be made to Georgetown University for the Van Houten Family Endowed Scholarship Fund in the School of Medicine. Please visit giving.georgetown.edu for gift instructions or contact Jim Warycha at 202-360-9297 or jim.warycha@georgetown.edu.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. For Rusty’s full obituary, online guestbook and church livestream link, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
