Rolfe Samonte went home to God, his Creator, on June 9, 2021 at St. Rose Dominican Hospital Siena after a long and bravely fought battle with renal and heart disease. He was 77-years old. God had extended his life so many times over the past 30 years and he was able to live a fruitful and happy life in New York with his beloved wife of 45 years, Marieke Chan. They both retired in Henderson, Nevada in 2004.
Rolfe was born September 20, 1943 in Manila, Philippines, the first-born son of Melchor Samonte and Salomea de la Torre from Batangas and Mindoro, respectively. His parents were forced to move to Manila during the Japanese Occupation as the hospitals in their province had been bombed. Rolfe was the only male baby among eight babies born in a Clinic that day, that is why he always joked that females were drawn to him and pampered him as he was growing up.
Rolfe grew up in Malate, Manila where he attended Union High School, a Protestant school run by American Missionaries. His father and other family members were active in their Church where they often saw former President of the Philippines Fidel Ramos during their Sunday Service. Rolfe’s mother taught Music, Math and English at Philippine Women’s University which was close to home. He was taught to play the piano and was often teased by his cousins, especially at recitals. His father was a successful business man in Insurance and Banking.
At the young age of 14, he graduated from high school and was prompted to take up Medicine by his parents. He enrolled in Pre-Med for two years at the University of the Philippines. When he determined it was not his calling, he applied and was accepted into the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City, where he trained for three years. It was in the Military where he learned discipline, obedience and stability under pressure. In one event, he was chosen to escort Imelda Marcos, then wife of the Senator, at a Military parade in the Academy.
After the Military, he went on to College and pursued Mining Engineering at the MAPUA Institute of Technology. He was often referred to as the “genius” by his classmates. After College, he worked in the Bureau of Mines inspecting the big mines in Baguio, did geological surveying and planning flood control in Manila. Shortly thereafter, he was recruited by IBM and UNIVAC to develop Electronic Data Systems as they entered into the Philippine market.
In 1972, he and his brother Renato fled the Philippines amid political unrest and stayed briefly with their maternal uncle in Los Angeles, California. Martial law was declared in the Philippines a year later and they were advised not to return to their country due to their family ties with their cousin, Edicio de la Torre, a Catholic priest who fought for social justice and was later imprisoned by the regime. Rolfe moved on to Texas while his brother Renato went to New York where he later married his girlfriend, Ting.
While in Texas, Rolfe studied for his Master’s Degree in Math at Texas A&M University and worked briefly in an Electronic Data Systems Company owned by Ross Perot who was just starting his business at that time. He then moved on to New York where he started selling computers to hospitals while studying Computer Software Engineering at Columbia University. He also represented a fashion jewelry company in New York City supplying boutiques and gift shops in the metropolitan area. In June of 1975, he walked into one of those boutique shops on West 4th Street near New York University and met the love of his life, Marieke Chan, who was also studying for her Master’s Degree in Nutrition. It was love at first sight and they tied the knot nine months later in St Brigid’s Church, Westbury, Long Island, NY.
During his professional career as a Systems Analyst in Wall Street, Rolfe specialized in Real Time programming and was the first to develop Real Time Systems Trading in 1981 while working in a renowned Wall Street firm, Bache, Halsey, Stuart, Shields, Inc. This System later became the key to future technological advancements including our own smart phones.
Family life centered on supporting elderly parents, helping immediate members of the family in their education and careers, and helping raise their children and grandchildren. He loved reading, listening to classical music and going to Concerts and Broadway shows. He also enjoyed traveling and cruising with his wife who shared many common interests with him. He was an avid tennis player until 2019 and was a Davis Cup qualifier in College. His new hobby was roasting coffee, which he shared with many friends and relatives.
After suffering a heart attack in 1992, he survived another 30 years developing software using real time programming. He was involved anonymously in many charities using Open Source Software especially after 9/11/2001.
Rolfe’s philosophy in life focused on Individualism and the pursuit of Social Justice through Real Freedom that promotes Mutuality, Harmony and Sharing based on Inclusiveness.
He was a kind and gentle soul who shunned the limelight and let others shine instead.
He is survived by his wife, Marieke and the Chan Family; his brother Renato Samonte; his nephew Anthony Joseph; grandniece Calie Samonte; and cousins, Dr. Estela Samonte Miranda and Edicio Dela Torre.
Memorial Services will be held at 5:00 PM, July 6, 2021 at Palm Eastern Mortuary in the Large Chapel. Reception to follow 6:00 – 8:00 PM in the Reception Room. Please RSVP before June 30th.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to Chaplain Bruce Cook, Mission Integration and Spiritual Care, St. Rose Dominican Hospital Siena, 3001 St Rose Parkway, Henderson, NV 89052 will be much appreciated.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18