Obituary: Necdet Kadri Orhon

Necdet Kadri Orhon, 87, of Longboat Key, died Aug. 14.

Born Aug. 13, 1927, in Manisa, Turkey, Dr. Orhon graduated from the University of Istanbul Medical School in 1952 and moved in 1953 to the United States to practice internal medicine in Chattanooga, Tenn., Birmingham, Ala., and Lexington, Ky.

After returning briefly to Turkey to serve as an internist in the Turkish Army from 1956 to 1958, Dr. Orhon returned to the U.S. to practice in Minneapolis and several other cities before becoming a U.S. citizen in 1968.

Dr. Orhon settled in 1970 in Springfield, Ohio, where he eventually became medical director of the emergency department at Mercy Medical Center. He resigned in 1982 to work full-time in his private internal medical practice until his semi-retirement in 1993. He continued to practice medicine in Florida until 2008.

Dr. Orhon enjoyed cooking, travel and keeping abreast of world events and advancements in medical science. He contributed to many charities and was proud of both his Turkish heritage and being a U.S. citizen.

Dr. Orhon is survived by his wife, Lilo; daughters Semra Hughes, of Cincinnati, and Asli Orhon, of Richmond, Va.; and son, Niko Kurkcu, of Springfield.

An informal memorial service took place Aug. 22, at Islands West condominium. Donations in Dr. Orhon’s name can be made to the American Red Cross, redcross.org.