Obituary of Dr. Stephen L. Dygert

My dad, Dr. Stephen L. Dygert, died peacefully in the care of his family on May 22, 2024. Steve was born to G. Wendell and Evelyn Dygert in Angola, Indiana in 1938. The oldest of five siblings, he excelled in his studies and was named valedictorian of his graduating class at Jefferson Center High School in Whitley County, Indiana. He later graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Indiana University and earned his M.D. from the university's School of Medicine. His continuing studies brought him to the Finger Lakes Region of New York, where he was a member of the first graduating class of the Wilson Family Residency Medicine Program in Johnson City, New York. Through his tireless work, strong convictions, and devotion to community, Steve leaves behind an enduring legacy. He was the family practitioner at Afton Family Health Center for fifty years, from March, 1974 to September, 2023. He worked alongside colleague and dear friend, Nurse Practitioner Alice Burnett. To Steve's delight, his youngest daughter, Paula, became a physician and joined the practice for twelve years. In a time of dramatic change in the field of medicine, Dr. Dygert remained committed to an individual, patient-centered practice in which he focused on the unique experiences and wishes of each of his patients. As a young person growing up in Indiana, Steve developed a passion for farming. After settling in Afton, he cultivated his passion into Fantasy Fruit Farm, a thriving 70-acre berry farm. As he reminded us with great pride in recent days, the farm today boasts 27,000 carefully tended blueberry plants. Steve also remained connected to his Indiana heritage through his ardent support of Indiana University basketball – Go Hoosiers!! He had a lifelong appreciation of Citroens, and always had a Collie by his side. Steve was a devoted husband, father, and friend. Without a doubt, his biggest legacy is the lessons about life, love, and community that he passed on to those he loved. He will be terribly missed. He was predeceased by his father, Wendell, and mother, Evelyn. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Linda Dygert; his five children, Lauren Stone, Rick Dygert, Adrienne Randazzo, Holly Dygert, and Paula Dygert; his nine grandchildren, Zach Cammarata, Eric Cobos-Dygert, Jake Cammarata, Melanie Brigham, Hallie Brigham, Grace Bautista Dygert, Jack Brigham, Benjamin Bautista Dygert, and Lillie Brigham; four siblings, Sylvia Manalis, Anita Dygert-Gearheart, Mary Dygert, and Tim Dygert; his best friend Harvey Fletcher; his beloved dog Louie; and the trusted Fantasy Fruit Farm crew. Visiting hours will be held at C.H. Landers, Inc. Funeral Home in Sidney, New York on Saturday, June 1 from 12-2 and 4-6 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Steve's name to Save the Children. Holly Dygert