Victor P. Salamanca

Victor Salamanca lost his 7-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease on July 6, 2021, at age 66. He is survived by his partner of 13 years and husband of seven years, David Lausier of Arlington, Virginia. 

Victor was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, on March 18, 1955, and attended primary and secondary schools at various military posts as his father was in the Army. It was in that environment that he formed his fierce advocacy for minorities and those who were diminished by society. It would form his social and active political interests which he espoused. This led to great intellectually stimulating discussions. 

He earned his Bachelors of Science in biology and graduate degree in microbiology from Florida State University. His medical degree came next from Ponce School of Medicine in Ponce, Puerto Rico. He was accepted into an internship in Aerospace Medicine from the United States Air Force at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas. Lastly, he received a Masters Degree in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. 

During his career, Victor was posted at Aviano AFB in Italy, Taegu AFB  in South Korea, McDill AFB - Florida, Travis AFB-California and Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio. He saw combat duty in Bosnia. When he retired from the Air Force in 2005, he had attained the rank of Colonel and had command of an aerospace medical squadron. Following his retirement, Victor worked with a government contractor in Washington D.C. on medical preparedness issues. 

Victor and David met at a fundraiser for the Human Rights Campaign in Washington D.C. They were introduced by a mutual friend, Alberto, and the match was made. They both were in their 40s and each completed the other. They both loved to travel and visited Europe extensively, mostly on cruises to Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Scandinavia and Russia. They also visited Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and the Napa Valley in California. An avid art collector, he loved to visit local galleries where ever he went. Victor would also regale his friends and family with stories of his visits to all the continents including Antarctica. 

Surrounded by his beloved art and the familiarity of his home environment, Victor was cared for by David with compassion and caring without help until shortly before his death.

He is predeceased by his parents Patricio and Emma. He is survived by his two brothers, Edwin and his wife Teresa of Lake Wales, Florida, and their children, Manuel and wife Ashley, Juan and Maria Teresa of Florida; Patrick and his wife Cheryl of Andover, Minnesota, and their children Christina, Nicholas, Michael and wife Shawna. He is also survived by David’s nephews and nieces whom Victor treated as his own. 

A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 15, at Everly-Wheatley funeral home, 1500 W Braddock Road, Alexandria, Virginia. A Mass of Christian burial and interment at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a later date. 

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