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BORN
1944
DIED
2020
FUNERAL HOME
11528 Hwy. 17 Bypass
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Philip Bestic Obituary
Born August 4, 1944 in Minneapolis, MN to Major General (USAF) John B. Bestic and Frances L. Powell, he was the middle of three sons. The "Real Dr. Phil," as labeled by a nurse colleague, practiced medicine-arguably his third career- in the Grand Strand for better than three decades.
Phil Bestic was an eclectic personality with a varied background. He was educated at Duke (BA/History), William & Mary (ABD grad work in History), Kansas University (PHD/Biochemistry) and the American University of the Caribbean (MD). His educational path was interrupted by four years in the Air Force, including one year in the Vietnam conflict engaged in special intelligence, leaving as a Captain. Subsequently he worked first as an environmental research chemist for Waste Management in Kansas City, and then as an Information Technology coordinator/programmer for Pioneer Financial Services. When his marriage ended in divorce, Phil decided to follow his childhood love, go to medical school and become a physician. He did so.
In his medical persona, Phil was board certified (and regularly recertified) in ER medicine (he trained and mentored rural ER doctors throughout the Carolinas), Internal Medicine and more recently Gerontology. He founded Beach Medicine, a family practice in Surfside Beach, which operated until June 2019.
Personally, Phil was an avid runner (100 miles per month) until derailed by a hip replacement, which required him to become a devoted walker. He loved to fly general aviation aircraft, and at one point was a certified civilian flight instructor. Phil essentially liked to "Fix things;" people in the medical context, computers, automobiles, broken household items including plumbing, carpentry...virtually anything. Aside from medicine, Phil loved the beach, sailing-sail boats (not power "Stink Pots"), working with computers and learning new programming languages. He was utterly unmaterialistic and had a voracious thirst for knowledge, to the extent he had no television in his home because it might detract from learning.
He is survived by two brothers; John Bestic Jr of Pawleys Island and Jeff Bestic of Aspen, CP; two nephews, John Bestic 3rd of Las Vegas, NV and Edward Bestic of Alexandria, VA, and a niece, Laura Alvarey of Windhoek, Namibia; plus, three grandnephews and a grandniece.
Contributions in Phil's name can be made to the National Foundation for Cancer Research, Bethesda, MD.
A beach memorial ceremony will be held near Christmas, when other family members can travel to Pawleys Island.
Sign an online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com
Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Philip Bestic
Sponsored by Goldfinch Funeral Home - Beach Chapel - Murrells Inlet.
Debra
November 18, 2024
Still holding memories of our fun conversations. Miss you my friend.
Gloria Vredenburgh
November 18, 2024
Still missing you, Dr. Bestic. RIP
Debra
November 18, 2023
I think of you often Ducky.
Gloria Vredenburgh
November 18, 2023
You are so missed Dr Phil .
Kathy Grilli
November 18, 2023
Hard to believe it´s been 3 years already. Dr Phil´s name still resonates in the hallways at NHC Healthcare. Amazing at what an influence he was to many. Taken too soon, we will never forget you Dr Phil. RIP, Fondly, " NEW YORK " (Kathy Fischer Grilli)
Kathy Fischer Grilli
November 20, 2022
Second Anniversary in Heaven, I continue to speak your name to your past patients and peers, as we reminisce about the great doctor that you were. We all continue to miss your presence and I personally have found myself waiting for you to round the corner with some witty comment or a " GOOD MORNING NEW YORK!" You obviously made a lasting impression on so many that your legacy lives on in all our hearts Dr Phil. Missing you
Ann Wilson
November 19, 2022
I miss him as a doctor and friend. I bought him a green hoodie with Bernie on it. He loved it.
Lynda Greub
January 11, 2022
I was a late-comer patient of Dr. Bestic. I was so pleased to have found him and to have been taken on by him. Dr. Bestic was a straight shooter but not without a great deal of wit and confidence; qualities I appreciate in a doctor and a person. I felt I could call him a friend. When one day I was told the office was closing, I was surprised. For various reasons, I have not yet connected with a new doctor and curious, I did an online search of Dr. Bestic in the off chance he was practicing anywhere in the area. I was shocked and appalled to find his obituary instead. Very saddened by the "not so" news.
I offer my late but very sincere condolences to Dr. Bestic´s family and friends.
Debra Wilden
November 21, 2021
Think of you and missing your wit and friendship.
Kathy Fischer
November 21, 2021
On this, the 1 year anniversary of the tragic loss of the great " Dr. Phil", we at NHC Healthcare in Garden City, miss him sorely. We are reminded of him continually, and still speak of our memories of conversations and jokes we´ve shared. His memory remains within us, and we know he visits within our walls!! You will always be a part of all who loved you, Dr Bestic. Thanks for the memories.
Ann Wilson
April 13, 2021
Just found out. My heart is broken. His obituary left my head spinning. We had many long conversations from Bernie Sanders to Classical music. My condolences to his family, patients and friends. So long old friend. I will miss you, soooo much. God Bless. Ms Ann Wilson ❤
Debra Wilden
November 27, 2020
Phil was such a fun and challenging person to work with and to call my friend. We had an ongoing one "upmanship" contest going all the time. We would text back and forth sometimes at 10pm with a new challenge to each other. I will miss you "Duckie"
November 27, 2020
I will truly miss his witty sense of humor at work. He touched so many families on his journey & was appreciated more than he ever knew! Rest in Peace Dr. Bestic! My deepest sympathy to the family.
Pat Gregory
NHC Healthcare
Gloria Vredenburgh
November 26, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful friend. Will miss seeing you at NHC.
Gloria j Vredenburgh
November 26, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful friend. I will miss Dr. Bestic.
Gloria j Vredenburgh
November 26, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Melanie Sanders
November 26, 2020
Thank you Dr. B for your wisdom, honesty, and humor during my first years of nursing at NHC. Your knowledge, experience, and instuction will forever guide me in my Career. Rest in peace.
Paige Cook
November 24, 2020
I had the pleasure of working with him after moving to MB 6 years ago . We argued frequently which was our thing . I found he to be the most honest person which I also respected .. He will be missed. And I can honestly say he did touch my life .I am blessed to have gotten to know him and will miss our very passionate conversations..
Tracy and Ted Wood
November 24, 2020
Dr Bestic Was a wonderful Dr He was one of a kind ! Condolences to the family He will be missed
Dana Edwards
November 24, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time.
~Rev. John & Dana Edwards
Diane Howard
November 24, 2020
Dr. Bestic was a wonderful doctor who loved taking care of his patients. I met and worked with Dr. Bestic at NHC in Garden City. I will remember him always, especially his encouragement with my weight loss about a year ago. He was so proud of me for shedding those much needed 30 pounds in a year, LoL.. Rest In Peace Dr. Bestic, You will be missed ❤
Kathy Fischer
November 23, 2020
RIP Dr. Phil. It was truly my privilege to have known you and work with you in your final days. Your wealth of knowledge was unsurpassed by any other MD I’ve known in my 4 decades as a nurse. Your obituary has opened my eyes to all of your many accomplishments in your lifetime, but doesn’t surprise me. DrPhil, may you run forever on the beach , and I’ll be looking for you there. This world has lost a special man, but the heavens have gained another angel. And for Dr Phil’s family, my most sincere sympathies in the loss of your brother. Know that he was loved by all. Please inform NHC HEALTHCARE of his memorial details on the beach, if you are opening it up.
Sue Riedy
November 23, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful man. RIP
Dr. B
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