Ramon C. Gubuan

The family of Ramon Gubuan announces with deep sadness his passing on February 17, 2026, at the age of 96.

The eldest of twelve children born to Juan and Felisa Gubuan in Kabankalan City, Philippines, Ramon was a born leader whose life was defined by caring for others.

Ramon earned his Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Santo Tomas before moving to Chicago in 1957, where he married Julieta Solidum in 1959 and completed residencies in surgery and anesthesiology at Illinois Masonic Hospital. After a 10-year stint in Canada, the family returned to the USA in 1972; Ramon joined Des Moines Anesthesiologists, P.C., practiced at Iowa Lutheran Hospital until 1990, and was a visionary founder of the Surgery Center of Des Moines, a physician-owned outpatient surgical facility established in 1983.

After Julieta passed away in 1987, Ramon’s devotion to his children and granddaughters deepened. He treasured time with family and friends and shared his famous smoked turkey with all.

A brief return to practice at Tower Medical (1991–1993), “easy,” he joked, because there were no night calls, was followed by full retirement in 1994 and marriage to Susan Wheeler. With Susan, he traveled the world and welcomed her family as his own.

Ramon was active in the Polk County Medical Society, First Church of the Open Bible, the Filipino-American Club, and the Filipino Gourmet Club. He established scholarships honoring his father and beloved Julieta.

To his final breath, Ramon was brave, dignified, and deeply faithful. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to St. Croix Hospice and Arbor Springs Nursing Home for their compassionate care.

Ramon is survived by his wife, Susan; his children Darlene, Pamela (Robert), Marietta, and Ray (Tanya); his stepchildren Dawn and Andy (Jarvis); his grandchildren Julieta and Lilia; his step-grandchildren Stephen (Kara), Matthew, Tyson, Taylor, and Trystin; step-great-grandson Oliver; and his siblings Woodrow (Ruth), Greg (Carmen), Warlito (Liberty), Charity, Roy, and Angeles. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Julieta.

Services will take place at McLaren’s Chapel, 801 19th Street, West Des Moines, Iowa, 50265, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. with a funeral service at 11 a.m., and a burial following at Resthaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).