At the young age of 68, Dr. Don Diebel, MD, president of OB & GYN Specialists, has accomplished much throughout his 33 year career practicing medicine in Central Florida. Although he has semi-retired, he isn’t ready to call it quits just yet.

Diebel spends four half-days and one full day working each week in the hospital because that’s the way he likes it.

“I still enjoy practicing medicine and I think if I retire completely, I will really miss that.  It’s kind of what has defined me for the last 30 or 40 years.  And I think I still have something to offer.  From delivering babies to surgery, my patients seem to like it,” he says.

In 1977, Diebel began his own private practice.  Today, the practice consists of 11 physicians, who operate primarily in the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies, part of the Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Diebel is also the president of the N. Don Diebel Jr., MD Good Samaritan Fund which was founded in memory of Diebel’s son who was tragically killed while assisting victims in an accident on Florida’s Turnpike.  The organization continues the young Diebel’s life-long mission to help others.

Being semi-retired allows Diebel the opportunity to do what he loves, without his career being all-consuming.  Whether it’s spending time with his seven grandchildren, or staying fit with his active lifestyle, Diebel feels that working while retired gives him the best of both worlds.

In his spare time, Diebel enjoys playing tennis, working out at the gym, reading and crafting furniture in his woodworking studio.   A few times every year, Diebel and his wife enjoy traveling, visiting everywhere from New England to Europe.

“I think it’s important, as we get older, to keep ourselves physically active and to keep our minds active,” says Diebel.  “Reading and traveling are both great for those.”

As for his life at work, he continues to love being involved in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology because it’s primarily a happy specialty, welcoming new babies into the world.

“Just being there to help the patients through the hard times, as well as celebrate the happy times, is what I think it’s all about,” says Diebel.

Though he values the continuation of his career after retirement, he says that what one does to ensure happiness after retirement is specific to them.

“I’ve had friends who planned on and did retire in their early 50’s and seem to be happy with that,” says Diebel.   “I’ve seen other folks who retired and didn’t like it at all.  They got bored and their health deteriorated, so I think it’s an individual thing.  I have friends who say that they’re never going to stop working until they absolutely can’t anymore, because that’s a big part of their life.”

Because working has been a big part of Diebel’s life, he still advises those who are looking forward to a life without work to have a plan. “I think it’s important to know what it is you are going to do,” he says.  “If you’re used to being a doer, and if you’ve been blessed with good health, then an inactive retirement is probably not something you’re going to want to do for the rest of your life.  Retirement sounds great from a distance, but for most people who have worked their whole life, suddenly they don’t anymore, and they have a fair bit of time to fill.”

For aspiring retirees who still want to lead active lives, Diebel recommends volunteering for an organization, working part-time doing something you love, or making travel plans.

“If it’s something you enjoy, keep doing it as long as you can maintain your ability and your skills to do it well,” says Diebel.  “I think I have the best of both worlds, so I’m going to keep working as long as I can do it.”

Article by Erika Finnimore