Napoleon Sim Maminta, M.D.

May 17,1932 - March 2, 2023

Coming to America was not in the cards for a boy who grew up in the Philippines, or so he thought. Napoleon Sim Maminta, born on May 17, 1932, in Surigao City, Philippines, did not allow an impoverished childhood or World War II to keep him from following God-sent signs for his life journey. Among many indications, was securing a college scholarship for which he did not intend to apply. He went on to graduate from the prestigious University of the Philippines Manila- School of Medicine.

Now a doctor of medicine, the pathologist met the love of his life, Aurora Saavedra, a nurse, while working at a Manila hospital. Six children later and in private practice in Cebu City, Dr. Maminta got a chance of a lifetime to train in the U.S. at the Washington School of Medicine in Saint Louis, Missouri, alongside the father of modern-era surgical pathology, Dr. Lauren Ackerman.

That led to another opportunity-a full-time senior position at a local Saint Louis hospital which allowed the rest of the family to immigrate in search of the American dream. With many opportunities come challenges. Faced with his own deportation due to an expired work visa, he collaborated with members of the U.S. Congress to pass legislation that allowed foreign medical school graduates to stay in the U.S. with the approval of their home country. While the legislation was pending, Napoleon was granted an extended stay with the help of U.S. Senator Charles Percy (R-IL).

Nap, as friends called him, was always ready to extend a helping hand to the growing Saint Louis Filipino community to such a degree that a loan to buy a home for his now family of seven children was almost jeopardized for being a guarantor on some-twenty car loans. He never lost sight of his roots but fully embraced all that America offers. As a naturalized citizen, he lived and breathed red, white, and blue. A photo of a U.S. president is prominently displayed at home with a handwritten inscription, "To the Maminta Family. We are proud you are Americans. Congratulations and best regards, Ronald Reagan."

The 90-year-old patriarch was a non-smoker but battled a rare lung disease in his later years. This man of profound intellect, who belted out songs of his generation with gusto, who could best Chubby Checker twist on the dance floor, who played tennis with a deadly drop shot, who fed thousands with his famous "Lechon" Pig Roasts, and who lead medical missions to the Philippines, is looking down from above smiling at loved ones singing "Don't Cry for Me Argentina!" Yes, he was funny too.

Nap's legacy continues with his wife Aurora of 66 years; his seven treasured children–including three doctors, Gigi (Paul) Streiff, Napoleon Maminta, Jr., Gina (Branko) Marusic; two entrepreneurs, Riza (Adam) Hunger, Arlene (Stanley) Browne; a nurse, Rica (Michael) Sommer; and a broadcast journalist Jocelyn (Gary) Doyens; along with 13 loving grandchildren–Taylor and Andy (Sydney) Streiff; Jordan and Campbell Doyens; Sophia Marusic; Cameron and Mia Sommer; Molly and Maximilian Browne; Weston, Genevieve, Beckett, and Juliet Maminta; and a newborn great-granddaughter, Jean Louis "Lou," he got to meet. He joins a tiny angel (Caroline Marie Doyens) who welcomed her LoLo at the gates of Heaven on March 2, 2023. We love you, Dad. We miss you, LoLo.

Visitation 4-8 p.m. Thursday, March 9, Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home 12444 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, MO.

Funeral service from the Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home, 12444 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, Friday, March 10, 9:30 a.m. to St. Monica's Catholic Church 12136 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63141 for 10 a.m. Mass and Celebration of Life. Private burial for family only. Guests are invited to attend a luncheon to follow the burial at St. Monica's Catholic Church Hall.

Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home   www.osfuneralhomes.com