DIXON – A humble man, who deeply loved his family and his children.

A man who was strict with his patients, simply because he had their best interests in mind.

Those were just a few of the ways family, friends, colleagues and loved ones remembered Dr. Rifaqat Khan on Thursday night.

A Celebration of Life was held in the Dixon High School auditorium to remember Khan, a KSB Hospital doctor who drowned May 4 after jumping into the Rock River to retrieve his boat.

Khan, 52, was the father of three children: sons Aaqil and Aazam, and daughter Hiba.

Aaqil and Hiba spoke Thursday night about how they remembered their father.

“Not only he was a great doctor, brother and friend to many, but he was the world’s best father,” Hiba said. “He taught my brothers and me so many lessons that I know we will carry on in life each and every day.

“It hurts my heart to know he won’t be sitting there for all the important events in the future, especially being able to have him walk me down the aisle at my wedding or share a father- daughter dance, but I know that he will always be looking down on me.”

Hiba recalled the last words her father said to her: “I love you, baby girl.”

Khan’s eldest son, Aaqil, said he and his father had a unique relationship.

“My dad and I were very close,” Aaqil said. “Our relationship was more similar to best friends than father-son. I can talk to him about anything, things that other kids would feel uncomfortable talking to their Dad about.”

Aaqil said he and his siblings had to obey strict rules when it came to their education.

“He had a very simple rule: It was bring home good grades, and he’ll let you live an extra year,” Aaqil said.

Friends and colleagues remembered a funny man who loved cooking, especially spicy foods.

Pranjal Agrawal, who worked with Khan, said he became an expert in cooking during the time he knew Khan.

“He learned Thai cooking by practicing at the local Thai restaurant and many a time cooked for us,” Agrawal said. “At least a couple of times a month, I received a phone call from him around 6 or 7 p.m.: ‘Hey Pranjal, have you guys eaten food? Why don’t you come over, I’m cooking something.’”

The visit often would result in Agrawal helping to clean the cilantro to cook, he said. The resulting food often would be spicy.

“If people could not eat the same, he would call them: ‘You’re chicken!’” Agrawal said to laughs.

Agrawal said Khan loved his boat.

“When he first got it, he was excited like a kid to show it off,” Agrawal said. “It was always fun with him to get out on the river.”

Khan loved traveling and recently had taken cruises that he enjoyed, Agrawal said.

Billie Crofton worked with Khan at the Edwards Clinic in Dixon. She said Khan was “passionate about life.”

“He met the day with energy and enthusiasm,” she said. “As office hours were approaching ... you would hear his footsteps running up the stairs. He would breeze through the nurse’s station, always with a polite and cordial greeting, and we knew our busy day was about to start.”

Crofton said Khan loved being a physician and a teacher. She called him “confident and caring.”

“He was committed to finding the answer; he was an advocate of prevention,” she said.

The mood was kept light as those who gathered to remember Khan offered humorous anecdotes.

“Many admired him, ladies loved him, especially the 80- and the 90-year-olds,” Crofton said.

Also Thursday evening, Khan’s children helped unveil a painting of him that will be hung in KSB Hospital. Portraits usually are done of retiring doctors.

To conclude the evening, Dr. Adnan Muhsin addressed the group. Again, he remembered Khan fondly.

“I have to admit, I developed a taste for spicy, good food at Dr. Khan’s home,” Muhsin said. “So I’m all for spicy food now.”

To donate

A memorial fund has been established. All proceeds go to the Volunteer Care Center, affiliated with KSB Hospital. Dr. Khan was instrumental in the establishment and operation of the center, which helps impoverished patients receive free medical attention and help with medication. 

Donations can be sent to 101 W. Second St., Dixon.