Samuel Dayag Santa Rita

Dr. Samuel Dayag Santa Rita of Butler, TN, passed away at his sons home in Noblesville, IN on April 16, following a brief period of declining health.
Dr. Santa Rita was born to Angel and Alejandra Santa Rita on January 8, 1930 in Rosales, Pangasinan, Philippines. He completed his undergraduate studies in 1950 at Philippine Union College and his medical degree from Manila Central University in 1954. In 1955 he was recruited as an intern to the Ohio Valley Hospital in Steubenville, OH. Following his internship, he specialized in anesthesia at Ohio Valley General Hospital in Wheeling WV. In 1958 Dr. Santa Rita moved to Mullins WV where he served the community at Wyoming General Hospital. In 1962 he moved to Toledo Ohio and served at various hospitals for almost 40 years.
While in Toledo, Dr. Santa Rita was an active member of Toledo First Seventh Day Adventist Church. Upon retirement he moved to Butler, TN, and became a member of New Life Fellowship Seventh-day Adventist Church in Boone, NC. His cheerful and friendly disposition made transitioning from a physician to a door greeter easy. Dr. Sam loved people.
Dr. Santa Ritas concern for others was evident in his philanthropic work. He was the co-founder of Midwest Medical Missions which provided free surgeries for the poor in Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. He provided financial support for countless individuals not just for healthcare but also for advanced education.
Dr. Santa Rita was known for his positive attitude and high moral values. He never met a stranger and opened his home up to many individuals that were in need. He loved God, family, and the United States of America. As a cadet in the Philippines he had the honor of carrying the American flag while leading a military parade in front of General Douglas MacArthur. This experience, along with many other positive interactions with American servicemen, created a longing to live in the United States and to become a productive American citizen.
Dr. Santa Rita was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Gabriel, his sister, Anita Brion and sister Lydia Cupino. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sharon Daugherty Santa Rita and his three children: Vicki (Bill) Wintersmith, Jill (Charles) Gray and Sam (Julie) Santa Rita; ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren; his brother Daniel (Karen) Santa Rita and sisters Nellie Dayag Santa Rita and Angelina (Oscar) Antolin.
Due to the Covid-19 there will be no funeral service. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
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