Amin Tjota

In lieu of flowers and gifts, we are requesting that you honor Dr. Tjota’s untimely departure with a donation in his name to MultiCare Foundations, a charity he held dear to his heart: Click here Dr. Amin Tjota (Lie Po Min) was born on November 18, 1952 in Jakarta, Indonesia as the youngest of five children to Mr. Lee Ka Kang and Mrs. Joli Tjota. He grew up under the loving guidance of his four older siblings and parents who immigrated from China in the 1930’s in search of a better life for their children. After finishing his secondary education in Indonesia, he spent two years caring for his mother who had ovarian cancer. During this time, he promised her that he would become a doctor. He fulfilled this promised by attending medical school in Germany where he met the love of his life, Melawati Yuwono. He was a wonderful son-in-law to Mr. and Mrs. Yoe Chong Ping as well as a great brother-in-law to Melawati’s seven siblings. After completing medical school, they set out to the United States with two suitcases, $300 in hand, and a dream for a big and happy family. They landed in Buffalo, NY and soon added four members to the family: Patrick, Melissa, Nicole, and Natalie. Even with the distraction of four rambunctious kids, he successfully defended his PhD thesis, “Experimental Immunotherapy of Prostate Cancer” at the Roswell Park division of the Graduate School of State University of New York in 1991. He then went on to join the Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Buffalo where he was the gastroenterology lab and fellowship director with Dr. Thomas Rossi. During his time in Buffalo, he started his own company, Joli Diagnostics Inc, in memory of his late mother. He later moved with his family to Federal Way, Washington where he spent many great years watching his children grow up, traveling the world, enjoying life, and sharing good food with family and friends. Amin was one of a kind. He was a loving husband, a devoted father, a caring son and brother, a skilled storyteller, a great friend, a perceptive mentor, and an amazing man overall. He inspired everyone he knew and will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife, Melawati; son, Patrick; daughters, Melissa, Nicole, and Natalie; and siblings Aling, Kusuma, Riko, and Denny.