Ozgur Ekmekci, 51

Ozgur Ekmekci, beloved and devoted husband, father, son, friend, and colleague, of Sterling, Virginia, passed on Saturday, September 19, 2015, at INOVA Loudoun Hospital Center in Leesburg, Virginia.

Ozgur was an intellectual, a philosopher, and a natural poet, and all who know him remember his gift for turning a phrase in a way that transferred the depth of his heart into the hearts of all around him. To know Ozgur was to love him—he projected his love of life and the world everywhere he went.

A highly respected and influential member of the George Washington University faculty at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ozgur worked closely with students, staff members, and faculty across the GW community. As the head of his program put it, Ozgur’s “ever-present kind demeanor and strategic intellectual contributions were appreciated by so many.” Beyond the university community, Ozgur also volunteered his time and contributed his intellect for many editorial boards and national organizations such as the American Association of Medical Colleges and the National Committee for Quality Assurance. He also served his local community by contributing to career days at local high schools and judging the Loudoun County High School Debate Tournament.

Originally from Ankara, Turkey, Ozgur attended the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering with Concentration in Digital Electronics and Computer Logic. He then earned an MBA with concentration in Organizational Behavior, at the Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey, and, in 2005, Ozgur earned an Ed.D. in Human and Organizational Learning from GW. He was also certified in Six Sigma Lean Sensei and a Myers-Briggs Type Inidcator.

Ozgur was born Tuesday, September 1, 1964, in Turkey. He was the son of Turgut M. Ekmekci and Ozden F. Ekmekci. In addition to his parents he leaves other family to cherish his memory, including his wife of 25 years, Zeynep Ekmekci, his son, Berk Ekmekci, and his daughter, Selin Ekmekci, all of Sterling, VA.

Ozgur will be honored in a Funeral service at 10:00 AM on Friday at Loudoun Funeral Chapel located at 158 Catoctin Circle, SE Leesburg, Virginia, 20175. Interment will be immediately following in Fairfax Memorial Park, Fairfax, VA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to an education fund for the Ekmekci children. Please send donations to the Bank of America, acct. number 4350 3802 8580. The ACH Routing Number is 026009593, in the name of Zeynep Ekmekci. Please also include the Swift Code is BOFAUS3N.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com.