Ghulam Dastgir ‘served community in graceful silence’

When Dr. Ghulam Dastgir and his wife, Sarfraz, moved to Chipley in 1975, no one could have predicted the impact they left on the community.

Dr. D, as he was affectionately called, passed away on Oct. 2 at his home in Gainesville. Those that knew him remember him as a kind and loving soul who would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it. 

“My parents served our community in graceful silence,†said his son, Amer Dastgir. “No matter where he lived, Chipley was always home. He loved our town and everyone who lived there. He touched so many people with his giving nature with no expectation of recognition. He was a true angel on Earth.â€

Many have shared memories on social media of Dastgir’s admirable qualities.

“I could share so many wonderful stories from when we worked together at NFCH,†wrote Raina Brown. “His kindness, warmth and friendship are things I will never forget. He was never too busy to have me sit and talk and ask how things were going. He was so sincere in everything he said.â€

“He was always so kind to me when he was one of my doctors after my accident,†wrote Christy Hartzog Thomas. 

Dastgir served as chairman of radiology at Northwest Florida Community Hospital from 1975 until 2000 when the family relocated to Gainesville. 

Dastgir continued to receive accolades in the medical community, serving as a double-board certified radiologist and chairman of radiology at Shands Lakeshore and chief of radiology at the VA Medical Center in Lake City.

In addition to his distinguished medical career, Dastgir was instrumental in economic growth and development to his beloved Chipley. Among the businesses brought to Chipley through Dastgir–mainly from land he owned–were Burger King, Exxon, Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn, and Popeyes.

Dastgir is survived by his wife, Sarfraz, and their children Amer, Farooque, and Nadia.