Dr. Fazal H. Ahmad

Fazal H. Ahmad, MD, passed away peacefully at home on June 9th, 2018, surrounded by his family. He reunited with his dear wife, Talaat, of 46 years who had departed in February of this year. He is survived by daughters, Asma Ahmad MD and Shazia Ahmad JD, son, Aziz M. Ahmad JD LLM, daughter-in-law, Amy C. Ahmad JD MBA, and grandchildren, Zaydan A. Ahmad (4) and Hyder F. Ahmad (2). Adored by many for his heroics as a physician as much as his kind and gentle nature, Fazal made himself through the service of others. His memory will be cherished forever by family, friends, patients, colleagues and all those he served. Dr. Ahmad, was lovingly known as Dad, Uncle, Doc and now, to his grandchildren, Baba. He was born December 12th, 1942, in Lahore, Pakistan - the youngest of six. Early on, he endured personal hardships and managed many responsibilities for his parents. This instilled a solid sense of duty to others, self-discipline and commitment to education he would maintain throughout life. After college, Fazal graduated veterinary school from Punjab University and, on his first professional assignment in 1965, a war broke out as he tended to animals in the border town of Kasur. He quickly reconsidered that career path. After he earned admission to Dow Medical College, the first person he told was his father and, in Fazal's own words, he was both flabbergasted and delighted for him. A moment he would never forget. In 1972, Fazal married the love of his life, Talaat, and she joined him in America. She supported him in many ways, and admired his dream of becoming a surgeon and helping those in need. He trained at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo (NY) and Emory University's Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta (GA). In addition to his residency, he tirelessly worked nights as an orderly and picked up extra ER shifts at nearby hospitals to secure a foundation for his wife and family. In 1975, Fazal accepted a position with Harlan ARH Hospital, sight unseen. He said he never felt out of place because, like his birthplace, he found people in need. Harlan became home, where he fulfilled his dreams, spending over 40 years caring for its people. To Fazal and his family, its people were second to none. Fazal encouraged and supported his children and grandchildren in every pursuit, always highlighting the importance of education. He also observed the world around him, and often put others first. Without any fanfare or expectation in return, he provided advice, money, bad jokes with a smile and whatever he could to those in need - always with respect, he made it a point to preserve the dignity of those in receipt. He would leave extra cash behind the pharmacy counter so a patient could afford their medications, deliver groceries to the doorsteps struggling families, or approach the homeless to have a conversation and offer a meal. Recently, as a patient himself, he sent new shoes to neighboring patients without, so that they could do physical therapy alongside him. He never mentioned his good deeds to anyone, never viewed himself as any better than anyone else and never cared for self-promotion. His children were lucky enough to observe his actions and hear countless stories from strangers throughout the years - his heart seemingly endless. We would like to extend a sincere thanks to each of our parents' caregivers over the years - Stella, Noelle, Tiffany, Senior Helpers of Knoxville, Choices in Senior Care and so many others that took such good care of them, including Avalon Hospice in the end. Fazal was laid to rest next to Talaat at Oak Ridge Memorial Park in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in accordance with Islamic faith and his preferences on Sunday, June 10, 2018. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution in his name may be made to Random Acts of Flowers (http://randomactsofflowers.org) and the ARH Foundation for Healthier Communities (http://arhfoundation.org). Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com

Tributes

Dr. Fazal H. Ahmad

December 12, 1942 - June 9, 2018