Victor Santos Ejercito, age 75, passed away on September 26, 2023. He was born on September 8, 1948, in Kabangkalan, Negros Occidental, in the Philippines, to parents Dr. Napoleon Ejercito and Felicitacion Santos Ejercito.
Victor attended high school and his undergraduate studies at the University of the Philippines in Manila. While in college, Victor joined two fraternities – the Upsilon Sigma Phi Fraternity, batch 1966, at his premed level, and the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity, ‘68 –‘72, at the medical level. Subsequently, he earned his Medical Degree from the College of Medicine, University of the Philippines, in 1972.
As a student, Victor met his future wife, Nemi (Nemesia D. Pecson), as they were classmates in pre-medical and medical school. After graduation, they both went on to start their medical residency training at the Philippine General Hospital, Victor in Otolaryngology, and Nemi, in Pediatrics. They were married on June 9, 1974.
By June of 1975, with the Philippines under martial law for three years now, Victor, Nemi, and infant son Michael, migrated to the United States, to Towson Maryland. There, Victor did his general surgery internship at the St. Joseph’s Hospital. Another move brought the young family to Charlottesville, Virginia, where for three years, 1976 to 1979, Victor did his Otolaryngology (ENT) Residency at the University of Virginia. With his medical training completed, the family made one last big move, to Marshfield, Wisconsin, staying on from June 1979 to this present day.
As an ENT physician at the Marshfield Clinic, Victor had a long and rewarding career of 36 years, from 1979 to his retirement in December of 2015. His varied interests included head and neck surgery cases, voice disorders, and sleep related disorders. Early on, Victor had performed the first Cochlear Implant in Wisconsin, in 1987. He was also Chairman of the ENT Department for many years.
Outside of his work, Victor enjoyed many hobbies including traveling, hunting, boating, downhill skiing, short-wave radio, listening to classical music, and rooting for Wisconsin’s sports teams. A family tradition was a 2-week long drive in the summer to see this beautiful country and these were Victor’s most favorite and happiest times.
Family and friends will sorely miss Victor. He loved spending time with his sons’ families and they in turn treasured the time they had with him. With his grandchildren, he was known for his humor and near constant eye-rolling “grandpa” jokes. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was selfless with his time and willingness to look out for his family. But then, he was also that to friends who might need a quick medical consult or visit, or a bit of technical help with their computers or whatever needs.
Victor was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Napoleon and Felicitacion Ejercito, brother Roberto Ejercito, and son Philip Ejercito. He is survived by his wife Nemi Ejercito, sons Michael (Karen Reed) Ejercito and Steven (Shouafoua Yang) Ejercito, grandchildren Sierra, Felicity, Dante, Skyllure, Sebastian and Sydney, and sisters Eleonora (Crescencio) Reyes and Barbara Palacios, and sister-in law Johnita Cruz (Roberto) Ejercito.
A memorial and celebration of Victor’s life will be held at Our Lady of Peace Church at 1414 W. 5th St., Marshfield, Wisconsin, on Thursday, October 5, 2023. Visitation will be from 9-11 am, at the church, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am, officiated by the Very Rev. Douglas Robertson. The burial will be held at The Gate of Heaven Cemetery immediately following the funeral service.
Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.rembsfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the House of the Dove, Our Lady of Peace Parish, or the Marshfield Clinic.
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