Hafiz M. A. Rahman

RAHMAN, Hafiz M. A., M.D., 73, passed away of heart disease February 24, 2009. Dr. Rahman was born in Pakistan to Mian Ahmed Din and Sardar Begum. He graduated at the top of his class from King Edward Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan, in 1958. Dr. Rahman went through training and certification in the public health field, which emphasizes preventative aspects of the medical practice. His training in psychiatry and neurology took place in Birmingham and Sheffield Universities in England. There he became board certified in psychiatry and neurology and a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists of Great Britain. During his distinguished career, he treated thousands of patients with mental illness, spanning five decades in four countries (Pakistan, England, Canada and the U.S.). Dr. Rahman served in various capacities as a clinician and had practiced psychiatry in Tampa since 1979. He served as chief of psychiatry at both Tampa General Hospital and Memorial Hospital, as well as being on the staff of Town & Country Hospital. He was a lifetime member of the American Psychiatric Association. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Anne Sheerin Rahman; his two sons, Jehan and wife, Aliya Rahman of Wesley Chapel, Fla., and Tahir and wife, Stephanie Rahman, of Kansas City, Kan., and his daughter, Naseem Rahman of Orlando, Fla. Dr. Rahman has five grandchildren: Jacqueline, Haseeb, Alec, Aizah and Zeena. He was a loving husband and brother, an extremely devoted father, and a caring physician. His unselfish support for his family will leave a legacy of integrity and kindness. His religious studies at a very young age awarded him the prestigious title of "Hafiz" for his completion of the memorization of the Arabic versus of the Holy Quran. The service will be held this Friday at the Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Area, 7326 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa. A gathering and viewing for the family members and friends will take place 10 a.m. - 1:25 p.m., followed by a prayer service in the mosque at 2:20 p.m. Afterwards, burial will be at the Sunset Memorial Gardens.Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. Zipperer' s Funeral Home