Naranbhai Laxmichand Patel's Obituary
Dr. Naranbhai Patel was the oldest son of Shri Laxmichand Patel and Smt. Jamnaben Patel, born in the village of Manund, Gujarat, India on Oct 24, 1938. He grew up in Balisana with his educator father planting the seeds of community service and love of knowledge early on in life.
Encouraged by his father to build a career that would make a difference in the lives of people, he decided to pursue medicine. He graduated from B. J. Medical College, Ahmedabad in 1962. This was also the year he started a lifelong alliance with the biggest part of his heart - Niruben Patel. After serving people in the rural areas of Gujarat, the couple made their way to the USA in the winter of 1964, with only each other and $200.
During a one year internship in New Jersey, he stepped into the important role of fatherhood. He took up residency in Ohio, where the family grew along with his practice. He had a deep love of learning which motivated him to pursue the coveted FACS and FRCS degrees, and rounded out his academic successes with an MBA degree as well. In 1980, Naranbhai, Niruben, Swati, Purvi, Priti and Mita made the beautiful state of California their home.
Naranbhai joined John Muir Memorial Hospital in Walnut Creek where he was an integral part of the trauma team serving the entire Contra Costa County. Apart from being a reputed surgeon, he was also a savvy entrepreneur building an impressive hospitality and real estate development business.
He retired from the field of medicine in 1998, but continued to serve the community he loved. His deep spiritual connection with God and humanity radiated warmth, making him a trusted advisor and friend to all.
He had a lifelong mission of improving health care in India. As a step towards fulfilling this dream, he established “Vatsalyadham”, a senior center providing housing, nutrition and medical care for the elderly in his hometown of Balisana. The center also offers physical therapy for free regardless of age or caste.
He founded the Indo-American Institute to fund charitable causes globally. He also founded an educational trust sponsoring college scholarships to dozens of students per year facing economic hardships.
He truly made the most of life - traveled around the world, always ready to play cards and Jenga, and made lasting friendships everywhere he went. Sleep overs, board games, and sharing stories of life lessons with his grandsons Jonas, Devan, Rohan and Tejas lit up his heart.
He was a simple man who made a deep impact on thousands of lives. He devoted his life to serving others, effortlessly giving with a pure heart to friends, family, patients, and complete strangers. He cherished his role as husband, father, grandfather, motabhai, kaka, fua, masa and mama.
Naranbhai is survived by his wife, Niruben; his daughters - Dr. Swati Patel, Purvi (Steve) Knopf, Priti (Sanjay) Morey and Mita Patel; his grandsons - Pvt. Jonas Knopf, Devan, Rohan and Tejas Morey; and siblings - Chaturbhai, Ramanbhai, Indumati and Dhirenbhai Patel.
His joyful smile will continue to bring comfort and strength to everyone blessed to have known him.
The family welcomes donations in his honor to PART THE CLOUD, an organization that funds Alzheimer's research. https://www.alz.org/partthecloud/overview.asp
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