Dr. Raul Arbilo Chipongian

Chipongian, Dr. Raul Arbilo, asleep in Jesus, Saturday, April 30, 2016.

Dr. Chipongian passed in the presence of his wife, daughter and Hospice nurse. Soon surrounded by loving friends, there was a bedside wake.

Beloved husband of Mary Lou; loving father of Kenneth Victor (Ann) Chipongian, Lisa Renée (Debra Corzine) Chipongian, and Laura (Matt) Chipongian Annis; grandfather of Aiden Thomas Chipongian; dear brother-in-law of Patricia Vierck and friend to many.

Dr. Raul Chipongian, who was known to all as Dr. Chip, was born in Nagcarlan Laguna, Philippines in 1929 and came to the U.S. in 1958. He interned at Swedish Hospital, Minneapolis, MN and did his residency at Homer G. Phillips. Until he was granted full citizenship, Dr. Chipongian went to Canada for three years of additional training. He spent one year at Regina General Hospital in Regina Saskatchewan, then finished two years of additional training at Dalhousie University Medical Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia. After his citizenship was granted in the U.S., he started his ophthalmology practice at the St. Louis Eye Clinic in 1970. He would work there until his retirement at the age of 76.

Dr. Chip loved his profession and the wonderful people he worked with. In addition to his practice, he went on several medical missions to the Philippines through the Philippine Medical Association to perform cataract surgery. These missions were very fulfilling experiences for him and his wife, Mary Lou.

Dr. Chip's family is grateful to and will always remember how Dr. Juan Carden, Dr. Arturo Montes, Dr. Mariano Floro and Dr. Matt Fraley did everything in their power to extend his life. The family also wants to thank Seasons Hospice and Inter Staff Home Health Care for the skill and T.L.C. that enabled him to stay in his home to the very end.

Raul's life was rich with a loving family and very dear friends. He enjoyed music, dancing, fishing, cooking and travel.

His kindness, compassion and friendship made him loved by so many. He made the world a better place and will be greatly missed.

Services: Funeral Mass at St. Anselm Parish, Creve Coeur, Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. A fellowship gathering at St. Anselm Parish House, will be held prior to the service from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Support Dogs, Inc., 10955 Linpage Pl., St. Louis, MO 63132. A service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory. Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.