Dr. Roman E. Rios Jr.

ROMAN E. RIOS, Jr, MD - He went peacefully to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at home under Advent Health Hospice’s care at the age of 86. Roman was born on November 16, 1937 in Manila, Philippines. He was predeceased by his parents Dr. Roman R. Rios, Sr., and Damiana Ecolango. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Eunice Bilagot Rios, and children: Rachel Rios, Emmanuel Roy Rios (Leslie), Roselle F. Paglomutan (Daniel) with grandchildren Roman, Simon, and Seraphim, Marylou Cash (John), and Roman E. Rios III. He is also survived by sisters Virginia Santos, Milagros Lopez, Pacencia Asunsion, and brother Manolito Rios. His remaining 7 siblings are deceased.

He will also be sorely missed by nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews in various countries. He had been close to and loved especially by nieces Teresita Comprado, Bernadette Calayag (Romualdo) and nephew Emmanuel Quilatan (Grace).

Roman graduated in 1961 from medical school at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila Philippines. He then finished adjunct and pediatric residencies at Baguio General Hospital, Baguio City, Philippines, where he met Eunice Bilagot, a student nurse. They were married on July 4, 1964.

In 1967, he immigrated to the U.S. after passing quite difficult US-required exams for foreign medical graduates. His family followed the following year. In 1971, he pursued a Family Practice specialty over a Pediatric specialty at Christ Hospital, Oak Lawn, Illinois. He went into private practice at Emmanuel Family Clinic in Chicago, Illinois for 22 years.

He then spent and enjoyed interesting months as an Emergency Room physician at Patrick Air Force Base clinic, Florida. He retired after cancer surgery. Afterwards, Roman and his wife did volunteer work with Thrivent Action Teams to teach CPR/AED to church groups, students, scouts, family members, and other groups interested in learning to save lives. They also enjoyed volunteering with more Thrivent Action Teams at the “Soul Café” and the “Sheltering Tree” in Bunnell, Florida and at the “Bridge of Hope” in Daytona Beach where they helped feed and serve the underprivileged in those communities.