Dr. Victor H.M. Nguyen

In Loving Memory

Dr. Victor Hung Minh Nguyen, 44, of Orange, California passed away peacefully in the evening of June 29, 2020 after an arduous six-year battle with sarcoma.

He was born at Manitowoc Memorial Hospital in Manitowoc, Wisconsin on October 9, 1975. Victor was the first born son of Huong Minh Nguyen and Diem Tuyet Vuong. His birth was notable because he was the first baby of refugees from the Vietnam War to be born in the state of Wisconsin. When he was a young boy, his family moved to Houston, Texas where he would grow up playing tennis and watching Star Wars.

He attended Houston Baptist University where he received his bachelor’s degree. It was there that Victor developed an immense appetite for a wide variety of foods. He was a big fan of Tex-Mex, Cajun Creole and Texas barbecue - he never met a taco, muffaletta or a brisket that he did not eventually devour. To escape the hot Texas heat, he picked up an interest in ice hockey and even joined a local club team. He also developed a deep passion for snowboarding and planned many snow trips with his friends all over the country.

After his college graduation, he would venture to Dallas and enroll in Baylor College of Dentistry. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery during the day, but at night he would explore the Dallas food and local music scene with his friends.

After dental school, Victor started his career in Houston and later moved to Austin where he was able to spend time with his sister, Krystal and pursue his favorite hobby and true passion – music. Music was always a part of his soul and he had some of his most joyous moments; singing and rocking out on his guitar with his college buddies in their nameless band. He often picked up his guitar and on whim would learn how to play new songs that came on the radio. He also taught himself how to play the keyboard. He was a true music savant.

Victor, being a very devoted son and brother, moved with his mother, father and sister to California in the mid 2000’s. As the Chief Dental Officer for the County of Orange Dental Health Services Clinic, he provided public health dental care, with his greatest joy working with the pediatric population.

In 2010, Victor would meet his wife, Julie, after a casual exchange of emails and a blind date arranged by both of their mothers. Their hour long coffee meeting turned into a four hour long date after the two realized how much they had in common. He would make monthly visits to the Bay Area while she was completing her medical residency, and they would explore the area together, eating at hole-in-the-wall diners for breakfast and Michelin starred restaurants for dinner. They were married in 2011 and settled in Orange County to start their new life together.

In 2014, the greatest joy in his life, his son Cooper Anh Hung Nguyen was born. Concurrently, Victor was diagnosed with sarcoma. Despite the aggressive nature of the cancer, Victor continued to fight in an exemplary manner, with admirable dignity and stoic grace, so he could continue to watch his son grow, teach him the importance of good dental hygiene, impart with him many words of wisdom and make sure that Cooper would always remember how much his father loved him.

He is survived by his wife and life partner, Dr. Julie Doan Trang Vu, his son, Cooper Anh Hung Nguyen, his parents Huong Minh Nguyen and Diem Tuyet Vuong, his sister Dr. Krystal Diem Trang Nguyen along with her husband Joeart Oribio Tejada and a multitude of in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews who all loved him very much.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fairhavenmemorial.com for the family.