Charles Albert Diggs

Dr. Diggs’ natural affinity for science as a youngster foreshadowed his eventual life’s work as a physician. His parents, both college professors with doctorates in education, instilled in him a relentless pursuit of lifelong learning. Growing up in proximity to the coastal Virginia area, Dr. Diggs was uniquely inspired by anything related to the water. Following his undergraduate degree in biology at Morehouse College and medical studies at Meharry Medical College, Dr. Diggs briefly served as a surgical resident at the Harlem Hospital Center/Columbia University’s 1st Surgical Division in New York City. It was there that he met and married the love of his life, Mary Elstak.

Dr. Diggs paused residency to serve his nation in the U.S. Navy, and was stationed as a general practitioner on the destroyer USS Columbus in the early 1970s. He returned from duty and became a pathology resident at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia, earning chief resident status during his final year of training. Dr. Diggs achieved board certification in anatomic and clinical pathology. An ensuing fellowship in forensic pathology at the University of Miami later placed Dr. Diggs among the nation's first African-Americans to become a fully fellowship-trained forensic pathologist. Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy as Commander in 1982, he spanned a career of thirty years as an associate medical examiner serving the Florida counties of Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Martin, and Indian River.

Dr. Diggs was a believer and gave his life to Christ. While medicine was his passion, the greatest loves in his life were his devoted wife of 47 years, Mary Elstak Diggs, and his two daughters, Charlotte V. Diggs, Esq. and Angela E. Diggs, M.D, MPH. He is further survived by two sisters-in-law, Franceno A. Diggs of Glen Allen, VA and Carolyn Elstak of New York City; and one brother-in-law, Herman Elstak of Port Charlotte, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kermit H. Diggs, Sr. Ed.D and Ruth Winstead Diggs Ed.D, and by his brother, Kermit H. Diggs, Jr. Dr. Diggs’ remains will be interred in a private ceremony at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL, with full military honors.