Charles "Chuck" Mistretta

Charles "Chuck" Mistretta

January 05, 1941 - June 09, 2026

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Obituary

Charles Anthony Mistretta (1941-2026)

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Charles Anthony Mistretta. Chuck was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. His wife and family were always his top priority.

Chuck loved life and his many interests included fishing, golfing, piano, classical music, reading and most of all spending time with family. He loved to travel with Darlene, and they explored the world together. A highlight of each year was an annual trip to the North Woods of Wisconsin with family. A source of joy and pride in his later years was helping to mentor his youngest grandson in basketball. He also loved to host friends and family members on frequent Canadian fishing trips.

Chuck earned a doctorate degree from Harvard University and began his career as a Professor of Medical Physics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison retiring as Professor Emeritus. He is famous throughout the world for his research in medical physics and radiology and his many advancements in medical imaging.

His pioneering invention of Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) revolutionized vascular imaging worldwide and remains the gold standard for diagnostic angiography. This and subsequent landmark contributions were licensed by major medical device companies and translated into products that continue to benefit patients across the globe. He received patents, awards and accolades too numerous to mention including a Nobel Prize nomination.

For over five decades, he has been the most generous and supportive of colleagues – devoted to the success of junior faculty, clinicians and collaborators. His humility, kindness, and selfless advocacy have launched countless careers and fostered a spirit of collaboration.

Chuck was integrally involved in the activities of his children, never failing to attend important events and celebrated all their successes. He was a board member for the family ministry Outreach for World Hope and traveled to Guatemala with numerous mission teams to serve the poor.

Chuck will be dearly missed and remembered with love.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peters Catholic Church, 5001 N. Sherman Ave., Madison, Wisconsin on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 11:00 am with a visitation at the church from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Entombment will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 11:00 am at All Saints Mausoleum in Des Plaines, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to Outreach for World Hope – outreachforworldhope.org.

For more information or to leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N. Sherman Avenue

608-249-8257

Events

18
Visitation
Thu Jun 18, 2026 @ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
St. Peter Catholic Church • 5001 N Sherman Ave, Madison, WI 53704
Get Directions
18
Mass of Christian Burial
Thu Jun 18, 2026 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
St. Peter Catholic Church • 5001 N Sherman Ave, Madison, WI 53704
Get Directions
19
Entombment
Fri Jun 19, 2026 @ 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM CDT
All Saints Mausoleum • 700 N River Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Get Directions

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Memories

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TS
Timothy P Szczykutowicz
Coworker •
Another memory of Chuck that shows what he truly cared about: Chuck rarely talked about the awards, accolades, or achievements from his career. Reflecting on him this past week, I recalled a time when he seemed especially proud of something from his past. He told me a story about a mission trip he went on with some of his family. As they were preparing to leave a poor village, one of the younger members of their group came back to the vehicle without any shoes. Chuck asked why he wasn’t wearing them. The child replied that he had left them with the people they were helping because they needed them more. He said he knew he could get another pair when he returned to the States. I had never seen Chuck recall a memory with as much pride as he did this one.
JZ
Jim Zagzebski
Coworker •
We are so sorry to hear of Chuck’s passing. Sincere condolences to Darlene and the entire Mistretta family. I got to know Chuck after he was recruited by Dr. Cameron to join the medical physics section of Radiology, a few years before medical physics became an independent department in the UW Medical School. He was a very important role model.to other young faculty members. And his scientific achievements are truly outstanding. Chuck was also an outstanding department leader. During his time as vice chair for faculty, we experienced tremendous growth in the medical physics department, both in faculty members and in student numbers. The scientific, educational, and administrative atmosphere he created contributed greatly to this growth. Chuck is a great medical physics and medical imaging pioneer. We will really miss him.
KL
Ke Li
Coworker •
Chuck exemplified how a physicist can profoundly advance medicine. The world has been better because of Chuck, and it will be different without him. Rest in peace, Chuck. He will be forever remembered as an exceptional human being and an exceptional scientist.
AK
Armen Kocharian
Coworker •
Years ago, I was fortunate and honored to join Chuck’s group as a visiting fellow. He was an extraordinary scientist, mentor and supportive leader with a great sense of humor. I am deeply saddened by this tremendous loss, and my thoughts and prayers are with your family.
MS
Mary Saur
Friend •
My cousin was Fr Roger Nilles and he and Chuck had a very special friendship from the ‘70’s and beyond. I personally did not know him but saw he Darlene and Darlene’s mom in church at St Peter’s and heard many stories from both Fr Roger And Fr Jim McEnery about their times tigether. In addition my daughter Meghan Lubner a radiologist at UW was in awe of Chuck’s accomplishments. My thoughts and prayers are with you all and I imagine Fr Roger welcoming him “home”
JP
Jason Polzin
Coworker •
I consider myself fortunate to have been one of Chuck’s PhD students after he made the move to MRI. Chuck will always be remembered as a great scientist for his many groundbreaking contributions, but also as a mentor and teacher to his students, postdocs, and the faculty who collaborated with him. He taught all of us that research, while challenging, can also be fun, and his excitement over pursuing a new idea was, to say the least, contagious. His lasting impact can be felt around the world, not only in universities and hospitals, but also in industry. Chuck was, first and foremost, a deeply caring person, always taking the time to ask about my family whenever I would run into him years later.

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