DR. ADNAN ASHKAR

DR. ADNAN ASHKAR Dr. Adnan Ashkar, age 80, medical doctor who served the Leavenworth community for more than 30 years, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023, surrounded by his children, grandchildren and loving wife of 48 years, Amal. Dr. Ashkar immigrated to the USA in 1972 from his native country of Palestine, where he was born and raised in a small village with a population of less than fifty people. Self-determined to be a driver of change in his community, he taught himself English and because of his academic success, received a full scholarship to study medicine in the Middle East where he would graduate as a medical doctor. After residencies and fellowships in Baltimore, MD and Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Ashkar and Amal made the move to Kansas in 1981, where he founded Leavenworth OB GYN - the first dedicated women's health center in Leavenworth. Here, Dr. Ashkar introduced pioneering women's procedures and delivered more than 5,000 babies - which gave him immense joy and purpose. He was beloved by his patients and the community, never turning anyone away who needed care. Dr. Ashkar was also an active philanthropist and one of the founding members of the Leavenworth Islamic Center. Over his lifetime, he helped fund over 500 educational scholarships to Palestinians from his hometown and continued to be a pillar there, where he traveled yearly, providing free medical care and services and giving back to his community. Dr. Ashkar retired in 2016, and moved to the Washington, DC metro to be closer to his children. He is survived by his wife, Amal Ashkar, and his five children, all graduating from Immaculata High School, and their spouses: Amjad (Samah), Sherin (Samir), Aladdin (Aundria), Ahmad (Tanya) and Suzy (Tariq), along with sixteen grandchildren. Condolences can be sent to the family home: 2614 Walters Glen Way, Dunn, Loring VA 22027.