Romulo F. Lachica

After his second year of high school, he decided to leave home to attend West Visayan Seventh-Day Adventist Academy. After Academy he attended Mountain View College. He paid for his Academy and College tuition by working in the campus saw mill and woodworking. He made cabinets, flooring, desks and window frames. He was hired for woodworking projects by missionary James Lee and was written about in Dr. William Richli’s autobiography Flying Doctor. He graduated with a B.S. in Nursing although it took 10 years as he fully funded his education doing woodworking jobs.

While in nursing school, a friend convinced him to introduce himself to a young lady named Norita Vitangcol. It wasn't long and they were dating. For their first date, they snuck away off campus under the risk of being expelled from school to see the Sound of Music at the local theatre. They returned to campus safely and soon their relationship became serious. Romulo rode a bus to Norita's hometown and walked to her family home to ask her father for his daughter’s hand in marriage. When his father gave his blessing, the date was set for October 27, 1968. Soon after their wedding, they flew to New York City to begin their life in the United States.

Romulo worked as an ER Nurse at Lutheran Medical Center Hospital in Brooklyn. Among many memories, he delivered a baby in a taxicab. After the birth of their daughter, Arleen, they moved to Berrien Springs, Michigan. He worked as an ER Nurse at Mercy Hospital in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He also worked in the ER department at Memorial Hospital in St. Joseph. He worked as an ER nurse for 28 years until he retired.

Romulo petitioned for his parents and 7 of his brothers and sisters to immigrate to the United States. All of them were able to come to the U.S. Nine of his siblings and their families live in CA, TX, HI and LA. After moving to Berrien Springs, in 1972 and living there for 6 years, he supervised the building of their dream home on Hollywood Road. He had a large garden every year with ampalaya, upo, grapes, corn, squash and other numerous vegetables. He loved to climb the trees and prune them with a chainsaw.

He was very good at freehand sketching and inspired his granddaughter to pursue artistic talents. After retirement, he loved to participate in mission projects for Maranatha International Volunteers. He traveled to more than 12 countries building and repairing churches and other buildings, as well as participated in Maranatha projects in the United States. He also supervised the construction of the Batiano Seventh-Day Adventist Church built on his family’s property in Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines. He loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren in California.

Romulo is survived by his wife, Norita, his daughter Arleen, son-in-law, Lenson, two granddaughters Celeste and Kylee and 9 siblings: Rene, Ruth, Rolando, Rina, Reva, Rose, Rhodora, Rosalie, and Remy. He will be remembered for his sacrifice in generosity and love of hard work made by his hands.