Amer Najib Rayyes

Amer Najib Rayyes, MD passed away peacefully at his home in Apple Valley, California from a Cardiac Event on January 18, 2023. He was 81. Amer was born in Damascus Syria to Najib and Rasima El Rayyes His father Najib was a famous Journalist and Political Activist . His mother, Rasima was a homemaker. Amer had one older brother, Riad and a younger Sister, Kawkab. His brother followed in their father’s footsteps and became a Journalist and Publisher. His sister, Kawkab was an accomplished Diplomat with the Arab League.

In 1950, at the age of nine, Amer attended Brummana High School, Boarding School in Lebanon. He graduated from High School in 1958. His childhood friends said that Amer knew at a very young age that he wanted to become a physician. He is said to have been a brilliant scholar who excelled in his studies. He was an eloquent speaker and writer in both English and Arabic. Amer also had a particular acumen for Classical Arabic, which his classmates describe as lyrical. Amer graduated from The American University of Beruit , Lebanon with a B.S. and M.D. in 1962 and 1966 respectively. Between 1965-1966 he did a Rotating Internship at The American University of Beruit. From 1970-1972 He was a Junior and Senior Resident of Internal Medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital, New York, New York. Between 1972-1974 Amer was a Fellow in Gastroenterology at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. His Academic Appointments were the following: 1972-1974 He was a Fellow in Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, and between 1974-1977, Associate in Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University, New York, New York. He was Certified by: The American Board of Internal Medicine ; The Board of Gastroenterology; and The American Board of Addiction Medicine. Throughout his career, Amer had many Leadership Appointments. The one he held most dear was as member of Desert Valley Medical Group and Desert Valley Hospital’s Executive Council and Chief of Staff.

Amer had three beautiful daughters Haya (husband Christopher), Nada (husband Brian) and Laila with his first wife Azad. They were married 13 years, from 1970-1983. He later married his wife, Cory. They were married 34 years from 1989-2023 until he passed away in Cory’s arms. Amer had three beautiful stepchildren: Robert (wife Regina), Olivia (husband Kevin) and Ryan (wife Vicky). Together they became a large, blended family that grew in love, joy and very close bonds. He also had 12 Grandchildren, listed from oldest to youngest: Angelica, Calista (husband Bryce), Leo, Alexander, Talia, Katie, Sarah, Eli, R.J, Max, Lon, and Colt, and one Great-Granddaughter, Autumn. Of all of Amer’s extraordinary achievements and accomplishments Amer’s family was his Crowning Glory.

Amer is preceded in death by his Father Najib, Mother Rasima, Brother Riad and precious Daughter Laila.

Amer is survived by his Sister, Wife, Children and Grandchildren listed above.

Memorial Donations may be made to Brummana High School, Lebanon at

https://donorbox.org/brummana-high-school U.S. Quaker partner charity (501.c.3) is Friends United Meeting.