Frans Sugiharto Handoyo

If you have met him, then you have been warmed by his brilliant smile, comforted by his rapturous laugh, and lightened by his infectious joy. Whether walking into a patient room, waiting arms outstretched for a grandchild's ebullient hug, or throwing open the doors to his home, my father's booming "Hello!!" would greet you in an embrace of his boundless love. Yet it was in the quieter more intimate moments when his generosity and compassion would shine through for so many who knew him.

Frans Sugiharto Handoyo, 78, passed away in his Western Springs, IL home on Sunday morning, March 28th 2026. In life, his adventures took him far from his birthplace of Surabaya, Indonesia, and he made an indelible mark on patients, friends, families, and strangers around the world. The youngest son born to Amir and Juniasri Handoyo on January 9, 1948, he had three beloved and extraordinary siblings, Arief Handoyo, Kiem Han, and Melanie Tani who would precede him in death. He would earn his medical degree at Gadjah Mada University and meet his future wife, Novi, in the city of Jogyakarta. Frans immigrated to the United States sponsored by his sister, Kiem, and brother-in-law, Dr. Thwan Han. Frans and Novi were married in June 1975 in St. Louis, Missouri. They hopped in their Buick to travel across the country and he enlisted as a Navy doc at Camp Pendleton.

Two years later, they would return to St. Louis where Frans would complete his internal medicine residency and GI fellowship. His solo practice would thrive in South City St. Louis for the next 35 years, often the only GI for a diverse underserved population. Fascinated by the videogame dexterity of endoscopies, Frans spent many holidays plucking pesky morsels from his patients' tracts. Each clinic day, late from procedures, he would win over a waiting room bursting with patients.

Frans and Novi celebrated 50-years of matrimony last year. They spoiled each other constantly and spent only a few days apart. Together they help grow a sprawling community with their home serving as refuge and meeting hub. Their family would include two doting children, Steve Handoyo and Sharon Giljum, two more adored children through marriage, Megan Flaherty and the late Joseph Giljum, and the three precious granddaughters, Gracie, Elsa, and Zinnia. He was so proud of his extended family, and is survived by his brother-in-law, Karman Tani, and so many nieces and nephews and their ever-growing gaggle of children and grandchildren.

Since childhood, Frans was infatuated with cars and could spit out facts about his cars and yours. He traveled to all corners of the globe, always looking forward to another round of golf with his hilarious Chicken Wing Filipino crew, and with years of ballroom dance classes, skillfully graced dance floors near and far. Frans gave all of his heart to everyone in his life, and his family is grateful that his passing has been met with such heartwarming expressions of love for this singular, mischievous, sweet adventurer.

Visitation will take place from 5-7 PM on Friday, April 3 and memorial service will be on Saturday, April 4 at 10 AM at Adolf & Powell Funeral Home, 7000 S Madison St, Willowbrook, IL 60527. Interment will be at Bronswood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation in his name. (https://give.cholangiocarcinoma.org/FransHandoyo)