Neonilo "Nilo" A. Tejano

Neonilo “Nilo” Amba Tejano, MD, 82, beloved husband, father, grandfather, physician, mentor, and friend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Nilo was born on October 22, 1943, in Bohol, Philippines. Growing up in Bohol, he developed the strong values of faith, perseverance, family and hard work that would guide him throughout his life. It was also in Bohol where he met his wife, Esperanza. They grew up in the same town and attended the same high school. They were married in 1969, beginning a lifelong love story that would span 57 years of marriage.

After high school, Nilo moved to Manila where he obtained his medical degree from Far Eastern University in 1967, and later completed his internship at the U.S. Air Force Hospital at Clark Air Force Base, Pampanga, Philippines.

In 1968, Nilo came to the United States to complete his residency in orthopedic surgery at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. He later established his orthopedic practice at Hertzler Clinic in Halstead, Kansas, where he lovingly cared for orthopedic patients for 27 years. During his years at Hertzler Clinic, Nilo served as Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Halstead Hospital as well as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hertzler Clinic. Nilo served on the Board of Directors of the Hertzler Research Foundation for 20 years.

Nilo was a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and also quietly contributed to advancements in spinal surgery research, helping study new ways to improve healing and spinal fusion outcomes for patients undergoing complex procedures. One of Nilo’s most cited studies was “The Use of Implantable Direct Current Stimulation in Multilevel Spinal Fusion Without Instrumentation,” published in The Spine Journal in 1996. Nilo presented his research throughout Europe and Southeast Asia, sharing his work and knowledge with colleagues around the world.

His orthopedic practice became part of the legacy he leaves behind. Combining his love of flying with his calling as a doctor, Nilo became a modern-day “horse-and-buggy doctor,” using airplanes to travel across western Kansas to care for patients in small and underserved communities. He never hesitated to go wherever he was needed and was known for taking on difficult cases when others would not.

Nilo obtained his pilot’s license and turned his passion for aviation into a side business, EsperAir, Inc. EsperAir was an air charter and aviation service based at the Newton City/County Airport in Newton, Kansas.

After retiring early due to a stroke, Nilo found a second career in caring for his grandsons, becoming the primary chauffeur to school and activities whenever needed. Yet, of all the roles he held in life, the one he treasured most was being with his family. Nilo’s passions included flying airplanes, photography, skiing, golf, and tennis, but nothing brought him greater happiness than time spent with those he loved, whether gathered around the dinner table, traveling together, celebrating milestones, or simply enjoying everyday moments together.

Nilo was preceded in death by his father, Cayetano Apduhan Tejano; mother, Dolores Amba Tejano; brothers, Cayetano Amba Tejano, Jr. and Rudiger Amba Tejano; and son, Victor Buniao Tejano.

He is survived by his wife, Esperanza Buniao Tejano; daughters, Kristine Tejano (Jeff) Rickard of Carmel, Indiana, and Jennipher Tejano (Thomas) Nacher of Paris, France; son, Neil Buniao Tejano of Chicago, Illinois; grandsons, Jake Tejano Rickard and Grant Tejano Rickard; step-grandsons, Sebastien Nacher and Arthur Nacher; brother, Elazar Amba Tejano; sister, Dympna Tejano Crespo; and several beloved nephews and nieces.

Rosary will be on June 4, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. and Funeral Mass will be on June 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., both at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1321 N Stratford Ln, Wichita, KS 67206. Entombment in the mausoleum at Lakeview Funeral Home & Cemetery, 12100 E 13th St N, Wichita, KS 67206, will follow the Funeral Mass, with a reception following at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church social hall.

Funeral Mass will be livestreamed.

Memorial donations may be made in Nilo’s honor to St. Mary Catholic Church, 106 E 8th St, Newton, Kansas 67114.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.