Dr. Huseyin Ozdeger

Dr. Huseyin Ozdeger of Chevy Chase, MD, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on September 13, 2022. Beloved husband of Doris Ozdeger; devoted father of Eser Ozdeger, Berrin Ozbilgin, Tulin Ozdeger, Pinar O'Flaherty, and father-in-law of Bulent Ozbilgin, Mark Andersen, Patrick O'Flaherty, and Tim Schaffer, who passed away in 2014; loving grandfather of Taylan Tuncata, Dilara and Damla Ozbilgin, Soren and Sevgi Ozdeger-Andersen, and Roisin and Emre O'Flaherty; he will be greatly missed. Born in Izmir, Turkey, in 1930 to Fahire and Seyit Ozdeger, Huseyin later moved to attend Ankara Medical School, graduating in 1955. He came to Chicago, IL, in 1956 for an internship at Augustana Hospital and later his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. Huseyin met his wife Doris, a nursing student, at Augustana Hospital. After courting Doris with walks in Lincoln Park and along the Lake Michigan waterfront, they married in October of 1959, nearly 63 years ago. Huseyin opened his private practice in 1970 and became affiliated with Resurrection Hospital. He served as Resurrection's Medical Staff president from 1988-1990. He also served as chairman of the OB/GYN Department and led various other hospital committees. Huseyin was a respected and devoted professor of medicine at Loyola University Chicago, mentoring many young residents. His patients adored him for his kindness, patience, and the exceptional care he provided. Huseyin saw his role as a physician as his life's calling and ensured that those who needed care received it. His devotion to his practice and patients was only surpassed by his commitment to his family. Huseyin loved his wife and four daughters deeply. They traveled each summer to Turkey to visit extended family. Huseyin was also passionate about creating a strong Turkish community in Chicago. He was instrumental in building the Islamic Cultural Center of Greater Chicago and served on the board from its inception until he moved to Florida in 1994. He also served the Turkish community in Chicago as the midwest vice-president of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) and as president of the Turkish Mosque and Cultural Center. Huseyin was a superfan of the Chicago Bulls and passed on his love of basketball to his daughters and grandchildren. He and his family enjoyed watching the championship games and seeing their beloved Bulls make history. When Huseyin and Doris moved to Florida upon retiring, he loved his long, daily walks to the beach, followed by a good swim, and dinners with close friends. The Floridian coastline reminded him of his childhood in Turkey. Huseyin and Doris moved to Chevy Chase, MD, in 2009 to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time with his seven grandchildren watching basketball games, attending school activities, and playing card games and backgammon with them. He also shared his love and compassion for animals with the whole family. Huseyin will be remembered as a father figure by many as well as for his sense of humor, love of music and dancing, generosity, and kindness. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the many lives he touched in his life's work as a physician. He will be laid to rest with funeral services in Cesme, Turkey. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (www.michaeljfox.org).