Birth date: Sep 25, 1961 Death date: May 30, 2023
Daniel (Dan) James Van Durme, MD, age 61, passed away on May 30, 2023, in Tallahassee, FL. He was born on September 25, 1961, in Dansville, NY, to Anne and Nicholas Van Durme. Dan is survived by his wife of 42 years, Patricia, hi Read Obituary
He was my friend and study partner in medical school- I can never forget him, Love to Pat and family
An amazing mentor and a knowledgeable physician who continually advocates for his love of God and fellow humans. I know he's in a much better place and he will forever be in my mind when I think of a model doctor. Thanks DVD for being in my life!
There are some people that can never be replaced, and DVD is certainly one of them. To call him esteemed & cherished is an understatement. To call him a leader & a mentor doesn’t feel like it gives him enough credit. It doesn’t feel like there are strong enough words in the English language for how amazing of a man & physician he was.
We bonded immediately over our shared love of sports medicine. Then our similar communication styles, when he apologized in advance if he interrupted me to share a thought & I accidentally interrupted him to confess I was bad at doing the same. ‘We just already know where you’re going & want to take it a step further!’ he’d quipped. For him it was certainly true: we all knew he was always a step ahead.
I’ve never worked with someone as collaborative as DVD. (Nor have I known someone more brilliant.) While we shared a lot of the same visions & goals for things, we often found ourselves disagreeing on the details. But it was those disagreements I’ll reminisce about the most professionally. He had the best way of either finding common ground to move forward, convincing you of his side, or listening so opening to yours that he’d drop his argument completely. It sounds so small, but it wasn’t. It’s so rare, yet he did it every day. It was in those conversations that I found the most joy in what we could do. In the first 2 years of knowing him, I said more times than I could count that what I loved most about my job was the true teamwork we had between the medical & the administrative sides.
It was in the midst of COVID that he gave me what I still consider one of the biggest compliments I’ve ever received. He joked for a long time when we first met, as I’m sure he did with others, about one day being called by POTUS to come serve as the Surgeon General. (And while he joked, I truly would not have been surprised in the least had that happened.) One day I joked back with him that I’d been trying to figure out how to ride his coat tails when that happened & I’d finally figured it out - I’d have to scheme and trick him into letting me be his Chief of Staff! A few laughs and we moved on. But a few weeks later, during one of our evening protocol planning sessions, we were trying to figure out the best way to run a few hundred people through a vaccination drive-thru with 2 days notice. We planned the whole thing out and hung up. A few minutes later I got a text from him: “by the way, if I became surgeon general, I would hire you as my chief of staff!” I don’t think he even realized how big of a compliment that was. To be acknowledged in even the smallest way by someone as accomplished & admired as he was, makes you instantly feel worthy. And that is the epitome of who he was - it didn’t matter who you were, he made it known that your time & voice was as valuable as his. As evidenced by so many other tributes being written right now, he somehow made time for every person that needed it, and while listening, validating & giving you feedback, also made you want to be a better person each day.
DVD was brilliant (again, an understatement). He was kind. Inspiring. Compassionate. Hilarious. A paragon of so many characteristics that I would aspire to be. The eternal optimist, somehow even when he was feeling pessimistic. He gave all he had to bettering the world, to increasing access to healthcare for those that needed it. He inspired & taught not only generations of physicians, but I’m sure generations of his coworkers as well, to go out & do amazing things. To be amazing, compassionate people that could each change the world in their own way.
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I remember meeting Dan through Pat when She was the vocal director for the Folk Group at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, I will definitely miss Him , I remember How much He loved His Wife and Children
What terrible, terrible news. My deepest condolences to Dan’s wife and family. I knew Dan from medical school, where I considered him to be a good friend, but unfortunately our paths crossed only a few times in our later lives. I will remember him as a smart, caring , dedicated, compassionate man -and the consummate doctor. I can’t begin to imagine how much he will be missed. My heart is heavy.
It was so good to touch base with Dan again today via the stories and memories of Dan shared by those of us in whom Dan lives on. Dan left USF at the point where I joined the faculty and he returned at the point where I left, but I have had the pleasure of breaking bread at his and Pat's house, drinking his beer, and communing via FAFP connections. Then today we had a reunion of kindred souls who knew and loved Dan, Pat, and their family. I will miss you, Dan, and thank you and Pat for uniting us all.
I had the privilege of knowing Dan for 13 years of collaboration, inspiration, and friendship. His light shines powerfully in the world as his body returns to the earth. He’s there in all of us—spreading purpose and compassion, creativity and resilience. Most of all, he’s reminding us to have fun and center joy. Thank you for your wonderful life of giving and sharing, Dan. You’ll thrive forever in our hearts and in each new group of our students enriched by your legacy.
Dr. Van Durme was the ultimate role model. The best physician, mentor, and human being. What a gift it is to have learned from someone who embodied everything that one hopes to be as both a doctor and person. His passion for medicine was obvious in the enthusiasm he taught with, but his love for people was even more evident. Though he was often leading incredible projects and held numerous prestigious positions, there was never a time that he did not make himself available to help those around him. I have never met someone more committed to serving and uplifting others. His mentorship served as one of the most defining and crucial parts of my medical journey.
Thank you for all that you did for your community. Thank you for your unwavering belief in me. Your legacy lives on in the thousands of students you inspired through your life. Here’s to living a life worthy of the example you set for us all, promise to make you proud DVD. Rest in peace🕊️️
Dan was a wonderful colleague, especially during our years together on the AAFP Board, and more importantly was a good friend. Sue and I remember many enjoyable times with Dan and Pat. He will be missed!
Jerry and Sue Rogers
Moorhead, MN
