Nadim Y. Khoury

Nadim Y. Khoury of Chicago, Illinois, Dies at 89

February 21, 1936 - April 15, 2025

Dr. Nadim Khoury, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and skilled doctor died on April 15, 2025. He was 89.

Nadim was the kindest, most gracious person anyone could hope to meet. He was quiet and thoughtful, with a commanding presence and subtle humor rarely found in anybody else. He never held a grudge and would do anything to make those around him smile.

Nadim Yusef Khoury was born on February 21, 1936 in Jerusalem, Palestine to Yusef and Najla Khoury. In the late 1940s, the entire family moved to Bethlehem and when Nadim was 17, he received a full scholarship and left Palestine for American University of Beirut in Lebanon. He later attended the same university for medical school, graduating with honors in 1961.

After completing medical school, he went to Saudi Arabia and worked as a company physician for Aramco Oil Company. He later moved Chicago to begin his residency at the McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, where he became the university's first Chief Resident of Internal Medicine in 1967.

When he finished his residency, Nadim went into private practice but remained active in teaching medical residents. He was ultimately one of four physicians who started Lake Shore Medical, a group that evolved into one of the largest multispecialty groups in the area.

Ever the humanitarian, Nadim spent three months in 1977 working with Doctors Without Borders in Africa. He also spent a few years working as team physician for the Chicago Cubs and was a medical advisor for the Chicago Plumbers Welfare Fund, Local 130, for over two decades. His patients praised him for being an excellent diagnostician and applauded his ability to not just hear, but also understand each of their health concerns. Many of Dr. Khoury's patients felt so at ease in his presence, they refused to see anybody else until he ultimately retired from his practice in 2015.

Above all, Nadim was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. His son, Joseph, was born in 1968 and later became a physician like his dad. Nadim's daughter, Lara, born in 1970, paved her own path, becoming the Director of Events for Chicago's Millennium Park and Cultural Center. He was immensely proud of each of them and never passed up an opportunity to brag about his kids. He also doted on his grandson, Benjamin, breaking out into the warmest smile whenever his name was mentioned.

He married his wife, Francis Marie (Thompson) Khoury in 1984 and the two lived happily until her passing in 2020. The couple loved exploring the world together and stepped foot on nearly every continent, often bringing the entire family along for the adventure. When they visited Petra, Fran convinced Nadim to hike the 900 steps up a mountain in the heat of the afternoon just to find the best view. Though Nadim wasn't very athletic, he made the climb and was forced to admit the view was worth the trek.

Nadim enjoyed games of all kinds, with a particular love of Bridge, Pinochle, Whist and especially Poker. Whether he was in Las Vegas, or at the nearest casino in Illinois, he found his bliss in the ups and downs of hours spent at a poker table. When he couldn't make it to a casino, he made do with online poker and virtual slots.

Nadim hated broccoli, but loved chocolate - and chocolate labs. He always wore his signature scent of Paco Roban and Givenchy cologne, loved listening to Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and the Rat Pack, enjoyed reading books about espionage, and had a certain penchant for action movies. He moved through the world with a lead foot and a generous soul. Nadim often donated to worthy causes and showered his family and friends with an unshakeable love. They learned quickly to never reach for a check with him around, lest they risk an intense stare-down and a silent argument over who got the privilege of paying.

His youngest brother, Basem, remembers Nadim as a mentor and protector who looked out for him all his life. His kids remember his warmth and gentleness, and the entire family will miss his special humor when playing cards on one of Nadim's numerous trips back home to Palestine.

His absence is already felt by all those who knew him. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten. For those who loved him, his presence will be felt at every poker table, family dinner, and international adventure from Bethlehem to Chicago and beyond.

Nadim is predeceased by his wife, Fran Khoury; parents, Yusef and Najla Khoury; sister, Asma Khoury; brother, Nasim Khoury; and first cousins Evelyn (Delbridge), Raji, Emil, Samir, and Nabil Khoury - who were more like siblings than cousins. He is survived by his children, Joseph (Laura Brooks) Khoury and Lara Khoury (Tim) Ziemba; grandson, Benjamin Brooks Khoury; and brother, Basem (Lise) Khoury; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Doctors Without Borders (https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/) or the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/).

A virtual Celebration of Life will be on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 11am-2pm, via Zoom. To attend, please use this Zoom Link, or meeting ID & Password below.

Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88174528325?pwd=IvbVAfqqbwdxwDn81StV1RLhmBZH8V.1

Meeting ID: 881 7452 8325

Passcode: 764018