Carl Daniel Laughlin - Obituary

. Daniel Laughlin, M.D., 68, a devoted father and accomplished surgeon, passed away on April 12th, 2025, at his home in Annapolis, MD after a brief and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Known to many as “Dr. Dan”, he was a compassionate presence in the community and in the lives of countless patients. Born in Ohio on November 18th, 1956 to Carl Patrick and Carol Scott Laughlin, Dan was raised in Newport News, VA. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia, followed by a general surgery residency at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Laughlin was board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He was a proud member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. From 2000 to 2003, he served as Chief of Surgery at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Throughout his 30-year career in Annapolis, he combined surgical skill with empathy, earning deep trust from his patients and colleagues alike. His commitment to helping others extended far beyond his practice. Dr. Laughlin participated in numerous medical missions, including humanitarian work in Haiti, Croatia, and the out islands of the Bahamas. Outside of medicine, Dan was full of life and curiosity. He found deep joy on the water, sailing the Chesapeake Bay and creating cherished memories with countless friends and family in Exuma, the Bahamas, his home away from home. He was a skilled pilot, an avid tennis player, and held a special love for Paris and great red wine. Dan will be remembered for his sharp wit, quiet generosity, and unwavering devotion to his children, friends, and profession. His magnetic presence will be deeply missed. He is survived by his daughter, Caitlin (Ryan), his son, Thomas, both of Annapolis, MD, and his brother, Peter (Betsy) of Sarasota, FL. He is also survived by his dog, Lily, who never left his side through his final days. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Dan’s life on Wednesday, April 23 from 2 to 4 and again from 6 to 8 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD. His Celebration of Life will be held the following day, Thursday, April 24 at 1 pm at Chartwell Golf & Country Club, 1 Chartwell Drive, Severna Park, MD. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Dr. Laughlin’s memory to Gibson Oncology, 7772 Fisher Island Drive, Miami, FL 33109 or Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation, John and Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122.