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Dr. Vicente D. Cabansag Jr., age 82, a pioneering surgeon, beloved community figure, and devoted family man, passed away peacefully in Grand Rapids on August 8, 2024, at 7 pm. His passing marks the end of a remarkable life dedicated to healing and service.
Born on January 20, 1942, in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines, Vicente was raised in a family with strong educational values and faith in the Seventh-Day Adventist church. He was one of six children of Vicente Pascua Cabansag Sr., a school teacher, and Marcelina Espero Dacanay. Vicente’s siblings were Florante (an engineer), Sufragista “Sophie” (a nurse), Wilson (a plastic surgeon), Tabitha “Marvie” (a nurse), and Buenaventura, who passed away before the age of two. Wilson is the only surviving sibling.
The loss of his youngest sibling and the medical careers of his sisters and brother profoundly impacted Vicente, fueling his passion for medicine and saving lives. This family legacy of healthcare service would shape Vicente’s future and inspire his tireless dedication to the medical field.
Vicente pursued premedical studies at Philippines Union College in Caloocan City, Philippines, laying the foundation for his future medical career. He then earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center. Following this, he completed a one-year rotating internship, gaining valuable experience at various hospitals in Quezon City and Manila, Philippines.
In 1966, Vicente made the bold decision to come to the United States, facilitated by a “fly now, pay later” program designed to help foreign doctors and nurses pursue further training and work opportunities in America. Upon arriving in the United States, Vicente embarked on an extensive journey of postgraduate medical training, including internships and residencies in Cincinnati and Nashville.
While pursuing medical training in Nashville, Tennessee, Vicente met Nieves “Remy” Soriano Lalas, a nurse who would become his life partner. They married in Nashville on December 6, 1970. Throughout their life together, Vicente and Remy built a loving family, blessed with three children: Sharon Cabansag, Karen Cabansag, and Vincent Cabansag.
Vicente continued his medical training with residencies in Cleveland and Detroit. During his residency at Saint John’s Hospital in Detroit, Vicente participated in pioneering coronary bypass surgeries, being involved in the first 55 cases performed at the hospital in 1972-1973. This experience enhanced his surgical skills and instilled in him a passion for pioneering new medical techniques, a trait that would define much of his later career.
In July 1974, Vicente moved to Sturgis to start his medical practice. As the first foreign doctor in the area, he faced initial skepticism and challenges. Undeterred, Vicente opened his own practice, focusing on both general medicine and surgery. His skills and dedication quickly won over the community, and within three months, he found himself with a full patient load.
Throughout his career in Sturgis, Vicente continually sought to expand his skills and bring cutting-edge medical technologies to Southwest Michigan, elevating the standard of healthcare in the region. In the early 1980s, he revolutionized local surgical practices by introducing laser surgery to Sturgis, establishing the Southwestern Michigan Laser Clinic. This initiative made advanced surgical techniques accessible to the community, sparing many patients the need to travel to larger cities for treatment.
Vicente’s commitment to innovation reached new heights in 1989 when he learned about laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a minimally invasive gallbladder removal procedure. In June 1990, he performed the first two such procedures in Sturgis, marking a significant milestone in the area’s medical history. This breakthrough dramatically reduced patient recovery times from a week to just a day, allowing Sturgis residents to benefit from state-of-the-art surgical techniques typically found only in major metropolitan hospitals.
For three years, Vicente was the only surgeon in the tri-county area performing these advanced laparoscopic procedures, drawing patients from across Southwest Michigan to Sturgis for treatment. His pioneering work not only improved patient outcomes but also put Sturgis on the map as a center for advanced surgical care, enhancing the town’s reputation and healthcare infrastructure.
Vicente’s dedication to his craft and patients did not go unnoticed. In 1987, he was recognized as the Best Physician in Sturgis. He was featured in Who’s Who in the Midwest (1990/1991), listed in Who’s Who in the World (1990/1991), and included in Who’s Who in Healthcare of America (1996/1997). He was also an active member of numerous professional organizations and served as President of the St. Joseph Medical Society in 1979. Further demonstrating his leadership and the trust of his peers, Vicente served as President of the Medical Staff at Sturgis Hospital from July 1988 to December 1990.
As Vicente’s children grew older, two of them – Sharon and Karen – became involved in his medical practice, allowing him to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of Cabansag medical professionals.
Beyond his medical practice, Vicente was deeply invested in the Sturgis and Southwest Michigan communities. Remembering the challenges he faced as the first foreign doctor in Sturgis, Vicente became a passionate advocate for cultural diversity and community support. He founded the Ethnic American Cultural Association (EACA), which brought multiple cultures together, celebrating diversity and fostering mutual understanding. The EACA organized various events, including an annual golf outing, that helped build bridges between different communities. Additionally, Vicente established the Cabansag Science Scholarship, offering financial support to graduating Sturgis High School students pursuing careers in science. Through these initiatives, Vicente worked to create the welcoming and supportive environment he had once longed for, ensuring that newcomers to the area would find a strong, inclusive community and that local students would have opportunities to pursue their dreams, regardless of their background.
Vicente was also an avid outdoorsman. He spent years boating and fishing on Klinger Lake, often inviting family, friends, and community members to join him, creating lasting memories and friendships. His passion for fishing matched his enthusiasm for hunting locally and golfing. These activities provided him with personal enjoyment and served as ways for him to connect with and give back to his community. Vicente’s commitment to service and his love for the outdoors were integral parts of his identity, complementing his professional life and enriching the lives of those around him.
Vicente’s compassion and love extended beyond his human patients to his beloved pets, including his cherished cat Jasmine and his loyal dog Coco, both of whom held a special place in his heart.
In his later years, Vicente and Remy moved to Grand Rapids, where they lived for just over three years. Even in retirement, Vicente’s passion for medicine and his experiences in Sturgis remained central to his identity.
In his final moments, Vicente was surrounded by his loving family, including his wife Remy, daughter Karen, son-in-law Todd, and grandchildren Caleb and Ava. His daughter Sharon was by his side, offering both the love of a daughter and the skill of a physician.
Vicente is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Remy Cabansag; his children Sharon Cabansag Warstler and son-in-law Todd Warstler, Karen Cabansag Revitte and son-in-law Thomas Revitte, Vincent Cabansag and daughter-in-law Anne Cabansag; and his cherished grandchildren: Elliott Revitte, Phoebe Revitte, Caleb Warstler, Ava Warstler, Lane Cabansag, and Remi Cabansag.
Vicente D. Cabansag Jr.’s life is a testament to the power of determination, lifelong learning, and dedication to one’s craft and family. His legacy lives on through the countless patients he treated, the medical innovations he brought to his community, and the generations he inspired. As we remember him, we celebrate a life well-lived – a life of healing, teaching, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of others.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at Rosenberg Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 807 East Chicago Road, Sturgis, MI 49091. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 at the First Presbyterian Church of Sturgis, 1320 S. Lakeview Ave, Sturgis, MI. After the service, a fellowship potluck with light refreshments will be held until 2:00.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to honor Dr. Cabansag’s lifelong dedication to healthcare and compassion. To make a donation:
1. Visit vicentecabansag.com
2. Look for the link to Dr. Cabansag’s Facebook fundraiser at the bottom of the page for the Hospice Foundation of America.
Your contribution through this specific fundraiser ensures it’s counted as part of Dr. Cabansag’s memorial campaign.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
