Dr. Cesar A. Garvida of Manawa, age 83, found immortality on Friday, November 16, 2018 at Theda Care Hospital in Appleton.
He was born in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines on May 28, 1935 to Francisco and Juana Garvida, and was the youngest of 13 siblings. As a child, Dr, Garvida survived Japanese occupation of the Philippines during WWII and overcame both polio and malaria to dedicate his life to the art of healing. He graduated a Doctor of Medicine in 1963 from the University of the East, Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines. He met his wife of 52 years, Stephanie, while he was a resident at St. Lukes Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, and completed his residency at Deaconess Hospital in Milwaukee, before moving to Manawa, Wisconsin in 1969. He served as the only doctor there for 34 years until his retirement in 2003. During that time, Dr. Garvida was also a staff member of the New London Family Medical Center and affiliated with many nearby hospitals and nursing homes. Dr. Garvida was a family doctor who made house calls, cared for patients who showed up on his doorstep, and often drove icy roads morning, noon and night between Manawa and various hospitals to heal the sick. He loved his work and took pride in his delivery of 1,200 babies. Following his retirement, Dr. Garvida spent winters in Florida, but continued to work locum tenens during the summer at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin; Camp Atterbury, Indiana; White Earth Indian Reservation and Red Cliff Indian Reservation until 2011. Dr. Garvida enjoyed spending time with his family, and was a kind, loving and supportive husband and father. He traveled the world and he loved to cook, play chess and mahjong, go fishing and watch football. He was a talented musician who loved to play the harmonica and the ukulele. He was also a long-term member and past president of the Manawa Lions Club.
Dr. Garvida is survived by his wife Stephanie; his daughter, Francine (Albert) Lanier of Madison; his sons Sheldon Garvida of Arlington, VA; Ronald Garvida of Eagan, MN; and Christopher Garvida of Manila, Philippines; his brother, David (Conchita) of Renton, WA; and sister, Triunie Garvida of Davao City, Philippines. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Elena, Christopher, Christian, Cesar, Chris, and Christine, and many special nieces and nephews. Dr. Garvida reunites with his parents, his sisters: Paz Dumlao, Rajenfrida Garvida, Leonarda Balbas, Gloria Garvida, and brothers: Amador Garvida, Jeremias Garvida, Honesto Garvida, Crisastomo Garvida, Isagani Garvida, and Rizal Garvida.
The Funeral Mass for Dr. Garvida will be held on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (614 S. Bridge St.) in Manawa with Fr. Charles Hoffmann officiating. A visitation for Cesar will be held on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at the Cline-Hanson-Dahlke Life Celebration Center of Manawa (176 N. Bridge St.) and on Wednesday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. There will be a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Celebration Center. The family suggests that memorial contributions in honor of Dr. Garvida be sent to the American Diabetes Association at P.O. Box 15829, Arlington, VA, 22215. The Cline Hanson Dahlke Funeral Home in Manawa is serving the family.