Dr. Sugayan

Norberto (“Bert”) Andaya Sugayan M.D., born on June 6, 1933 in the Province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on February 27, 2023.

Dr. Sugayan obtained his Medical Doctorate Degree from the University of Santo Tomas Surgery and Medical School in the Philippines in 1957. He came to the U.S. under the Exchange Visitors Program and served as an intern in Medicine at Deaconess Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There he met the love of his life, Charlotte (“Chuckie”) Ione Weinfurtner, and they married in 1959.

Bert and Chuckie moved to Michigan where Bert became Board Certified in Radiology. He served as Chief of Radiology at Blaine Memorial Hospital in Detroit and later operated a private radiology practice known as Northland Radiology that served Southfield and Detroit, Michigan.

Dr. Sugayan was the founder and first President of the Philippine Medical Association of Michigan (“PMAM”), was a Governor in the Association of Philippine Physicians in America (“APPA”), and active in the Filipino American Community Council of Michigan (FILAMCCO).

Bert and Chuckie have been married for 63 years and raised their family in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. After their children graduated from college, they moved to Detroit where they ran the Signature Restaurant.

Dr. Sugayan is survived by his wife, five children and nine grandchildren: Catalina, married to William Hrabak, children Jacqueline and William; Bert, married to Mary Curry, children Andaya, Kiely and Ruby; Steven, married to Lynne; Maria and her children Michael and Jacob Hames; and, Michelle, married to Lynn Koglin, children Zachary and Joseph.

Dr. Sugayan was raised in the Philippines, son of Benigno Melendez Sugayan, Sr. and Catalina Salindong Andaya (both from the Provence of Pangasinan, Philippines). He is the youngest of five and survived his parents, sisters -Nellie, Ruth, and Ida, and his brother Benigno.

Dr. Sugayan loved his family and many friends, including medical colleagues from the Philippines who practiced in the Detroit area and throughout the United States. Bert was known for his beautiful singing voice and dance skills. He often graced his family and friends with song, and entertained guests during Karaoke at the Signature Restaurant.

The family mourned his death in Louisville, Colorado. The family plans to have a private memorial service in Detroit to celebrate his life.

In remembrance of Dr. Norberto Sugayan’s life, the family suggests a charitable donation made in his name to (i) the American Kidney Foundation, which did so much for him as a dialysis patient for five years, or (ii) Trailwinds Hospice, which supported the family in the final days.

American Kidney Foundation https://secure.kidneyfund.org/site/SPageNavigator/df_id/tribute.html

Trailwinds Hospice https://trailwindshospice.com/our-foundation