Dr. Rodrigo Ayento Mata Jr., M.D. was born in Lupao Nueva Ecija, Philippines 92 years ago on 9/2/1934. He met his future wife, Leoncia Ferrer Buencamino in elementary school. They married on June 19, 1958, and raised 5 children.

Rodrigo Jr. graduated from medical school at the University of Santo Thomas in 1960 in the Philippines, immigrated to the United States in 1969, attended family practice medicine residency at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, and then joined a private practice in Sioux City, Iowa. He moved to Kenosha Wisconsin to start his own private family practice in 1978 with medical staff privileges at St. Catherine’s Hospital and Kenosha Hospital until retirement in 1993.

Aside from being a prominent physician, Rodrigo Jr. was also a seasoned gambler with VIP status at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas in the 80’s and 90’s. He loved playing mahjong with his friends and family. He also loved to dance especially the tango, and loved listening to all types of music from the early 1950’s to the current.

Rodrigo Jr. was a devoted father and grandfather to his family. He wanted all his children to have a higher education and was very proud of all his children’s accomplishments. He was proceeded in death by his wife Leoncia, his sister Remy, and his parents, Rodrigo Sr. and Paz. Rodrigo Jr. was the patriarch of the Mata family and is survived by his children: Rodrigo Mata III (Jennifer Carvin) of Kenosha, Gerlee Hibbard of Kenosha, Emily (Jack) Nehmer of Racine, Rizaldy (Ann) Mata of Milwaukee, Lyndon (Ginny) Mata of Broomfield, CO, 14 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild with another great grandchild on the way; Rodrigo Jr. is also survived by his siblings: Lydia, Ofelia, Ester, Candido, Paz, Efren, and Gene.

A visitation will be held in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Road, Mount Pleasant on Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 10:00 am-12:00PM, with prayer services to follow at 12:00 PM. Burial will be on Wednesday, September 09, 2026, at St. George Cemetery at 10:30AM.

In lieu of flowers, please give donations to the flood and typhoon victims in the Philippines through ABS-CBN Foundation International link page.