June 6, 1933 - December 26, 2021
Sayed Jehan's life was remarkable, and a shining example of someone who
achieved the American dream. From his humble beginnings in a small rural
village in Pakistan, he went on to become a well respected and
successful physician, father, philanthropist, and businessman who helped
and impacted the lives of countless people all over the world.
Sayed was born in 1933 outside of Peshawar, Pakistan - at that time
known as British India. His upbringing was humble, raised in a village
as the son of a farmer. Despite his simple surroundings, Sayed was
gifted and had aspirations to become a doctor. His father took a huge
risk by selling some of his land and sending his son to medical school
in Bangladesh, known as East Pakistan at that time. The trip to
Bangladesh took several days by train across India. He studied
diligently in Bangladesh, not even returning to Pakistan to visit family
until his studies were over after 6 years.
After completing
medical school Sayed spent a few years practicing in the rugged
mountains of Pakistan. Then he traveled to the United Kingdom by ship,
passing through the Suez Canal. The trip was an adventure with stops in
Egypt, Turkey, and Gibraltar. In the UK he settled in Cardiff, Wales
where he underwent additional medical training in psychiatry. This was
the time he also married Yasmeen Khan, a young woman also from Pakistan.
Sayed and Yasmeen moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1966 where two
of their sons were born. From Canada they moved to Fulton, Missouri, in
1969 and had a third son.
In 1971, the family moved to Wichita
where they would settle permanently. A fourth son was born in Wichita.
Sayed worked as a psychiatrist for next year 45 years in Wichita,
leading the Sedgwick County Mental Health Department, now known as
COMCARE, for many years. Later he also practiced at El Dorado and
Hutchinson Correctional Facilities and Larned State Hospital. His
psychiatric services were called upon in several high-profile incidents,
including the downtown Holiday Inn sniper shootings in 1976, the Carr
brothers murder spree in 2000, and later working with serial killer
Dennis Rader, aka BTK.
Sayed was a family man, devoted to Yasmeen
and his four boys. But he also felt a greater responsibility to help
others. He helped other family members immigrate to Wichita, where their
families would also flourish. One of his sons and several younger
relatives would also become doctors. He supported many relatives in
Pakistan and led numerous development projects in his village, such as
rebuilding the local mosque and building a cricket field for the local
kids.
Sayed was a leader in the Islamic community in Wichita, where
he helped create the first mosque in 1976, serving as its
vice-president for many years. Sayed also generously donated to
charitable organizations that spearheaded development projects to needy
communities in Pakistan. He also led several fundraising efforts for
various projects in Pakistan, including providing funds after natural
disasters and to cancer hospitals. In Wichita he was a generous
benefactor of the Mayflower Clinic, established by immigrant
professionals to provide free or discounted health services to those
facing economic hardship. Recently the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran
Khan, sent Sayed a signed cricket bat in honor of his outstanding
service. He also met Prime Minister Khan as his personal guest at the
Pakistani Embassy in Washington DC.
Sayed was also a successful
real estate investor, owning numerous apartments, duplexes, homes and
shopping centers in Wichita, Andover, and Hays. His residential tenants
would often stay for many years, appreciating his caring and responsible
approach. His shopping centers continue to be managed by his oldest
son, allowing dozens of small business owners to thrive and create their
own legacies.
Sayed had exceptional energy throughout his life. He
worked full time until the age of 83. He still enjoyed going to the gym
to walk 2 miles a day even until the age of 87. He loved to travel
around the world with his family. He had a passion for gardening and
landscaping, often joining his workers to make sure everything was just
right.
Sayed is survived by his wife Yasmeen, four sons Farouk of
Valencia, California, Faisal of Yorba Linda, California, Iqbal and Ali
of Wichita, five grandchildren, his brother Jan Sayed in Wichita, a
sister in Pakistan, and numerous relatives in Wichita, Pakistan, and
other parts of the world.