Dr. Gunay M. Raghib

West Fargo

Dr. Gunay M. Raghib peacefully passed away December 7th, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s at his home in West Fargo, North Dakota. He was 92. Gunay’s life stretched across three continents and ended in his beloved North Dakota. He was loved by all who knew him, worked with him, and had the privilege of being his patient.

Gunay was born June 20, 1931, in Inonu, Cyprus (now the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) the eldest of 6 kids. He went to elementary and high school in his home village where he enjoyed soccer and boy scouts. Gunay knew from a very early age he wanted to care for children. He left home and went to college and medical school at the University of Istanbul. After medical school, he moved to the United States of America to pursue his dream of becoming a pediatrician. He arrived in Minneapolis, MN, where he completed a residency in Pediatrics followed by a fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology where he discovered Raghib Syndrome. It was there he met his first wife Diane (Eggl) and upon completion of his residency, they moved to Winnipeg, Canada. He worked in Winnipeg for two years . While there, Gunay and Diane welcomed their eldest children, Sevda and Metin. In 1970, they moved to Minot, ND where Ender, Aysun, and Timur were born. In Minot, he practiced at Medical Arts Clinic for the next 35 years until his retirement in 1995.

After the passing of his first wife, he married Kerry Krabseth. Together they made their home first in Minot before moving to Lake Sakakawea near Williston, ND. Their lake home brought him immense joy. His love for sitting on the deck, watching the sunset with reflections on the water, highlighting the bluffs of the rolling hills brought him peace in his retirement. Gunay and Kerry eventually moved to West Fargo, ND in 2021.

Gunay was a well-respected physician and leader in the medical community in Minot. In addition to being a strong advocate for children, he was instrumental in the establishing the Minot chapter of Head Start. He loved being outside, enjoying nature, gardening, and visiting his neighbors. Above all, he cherished, loved, and was devoted to his family.

He is preceded in death by his first wife of 26 years, E. Diane Eggl; his son, Metin; his parents, Mustafa and Zekiye; his brother, Ozhan; and his sisters, Omay and Turkan.

He is survived by his wife Kerry, daughters Sevda Raghib, Helena, MT; Aysun Raghib, Laguna Beach, CA; sons Ender Raghib, West Fargo, ND; Timur Raghib (Alicia) Phoenix, AZ, step-daughters Shannon (Courtney) Bushnell Minot, ND; Amber (Ryan) Ogaard, Rochester, MN and step-son Jeremy (Anna) Krabseth, West Fargo, ND; 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, his sisters Sevil Erer, London, England; Emel (Mustafa) Dervish, Leeds, England; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Sunday, December 10th in the Norse Room at the Grand Hotel in Minot, ND from 3pm to 7pm.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Minot Parks and Recreation.

Published by The Minot Daily News, December 9, 2023.