Janaksinh Khimji Ramaiya

Janaksinh Khimji Ramaiya, MD, FRCPS passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on 12/15/2019 at Essentia Health hospital in Fargo, North Dakota.

Born in Zanzibar on 11/4/1935, Dr. Ramaiya made an impact on many lives globally. He had personal and professional connections in several U.S. states, Canada, India, the UK, and Zanzibar where he grew up with 2 brothers and 6 sisters. He spoke fondly of his walks on the tropical island and excelled in academics during his youth and beyond.

After his primary schooling in Zanzibar, at 17 years old he left on his own and continued his studies in England. His medical school training followed at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

While in Europe, Janak and his brother Dharam shared the experience of traveling and studying. Janaksinh and his older brother Madhu shared a deep religious devotion. Madhu was very protective of his younger brother, and helped Janak pursue his education in Europe. Janak’s sister Hasia also followed in her brothers’ footsteps and became a physician. Dr. Ramaiya was also very protective of his brothers’ children Virendra, Vijendra, Varindra, Nootan, and Harsh Ramaiya.

After medical school, Dr. Ramaiya returned to Zanzibar and worked as the only physician covering a 56 bed government hospital. He went on to teach future physicians at the once prestigious Makereri Medical School in Uganda. Next, he was back in the UK to complete a fellowship in surgery at the University of Edinburgh. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Throughout his academic pursuits around the world he remained devoted to his Kutchi heritage and family in India. He practiced daily devotions like the yanumashtak mantra and valued his Pushtimarg Hindu faith.

In 1969 Janaksinh moved to Biggar, Saskatchewan Canada. It was during this time he traveled back to India to marry his beloved wife Pushpa.

While building his medical practice, he started to build his family with the birth of his first daughter Dharmindra. He was a devoted father, passing along his love of walks, vegetarian food, science, medicine and academics to his daughter. One example of his devotion and creativity was when he used plaster of paris for casts to form letters of the alphabet in order to teach young Dharmindra Gujarati. He adored and took pride in his daughter. For her, he modeled the path to being a caring committed family member and fellow physician.

In 1974 the family of three immigrated to the United States. They moved to Malta, Montana and became a family of four with the birth of Kamalesh. He shared a love of technology and silly jokes with his son that continued to be part of their regular conversations even until Dr. Ramaiya’s final days. He was very proud of his son who also went on to become a physician. In Malta, Dr. Ramaiya developed a reputation for the care he gave. He was mentioned in the book “Breaking Clean” that included a story of what a caring and hardworking physician he was for patients and their families in Montana.

In 1980 Dr. Ramaiya and his family moved to Cooperstown, North Dakota where he practiced medicine, surgery, and helped with the delivery of babies for many years until his retirement. While in Cooperstown, he and Pushpa gave birth to their third child and second daughter Hursha. Hursha means joy, and they provided much joy to each other throughout his life. They shared many qualities including an aptitude for mathematics and languages.

Dr. Ramaiya ‘s father Khimji was proud when he was able to visit his son and the family in Cooperstown. Also joining the family in Cooperstown for several years was Janak’s niece Nootan, the daughter of his oldest brother Madhu. It was in Cooperstown, where all four children graduated high school.

He was a private person who carried himself with a quiet elegance. He also was known for a dry wit and subtle but quite funny sense of humor.

Janaksinh Ramaiya was a man focused on his work, faith, and family. He respected his elders while young, and in his adulthood he provided guidance and support to his many siblings, cousins, and their extended families throughout the diaspora in India, Africa, Oman, and the United Kingdom.

After retirement, Dr. Ramaiya and Pushpa spent more time in Fargo, North Dakota. He stayed busy in retirement. He kept up with lifelong traditions and interests including medicine and technology. He kept his brain active translating religious texts from Sanskrit to English, and kept his body active with regular walks and exercise.

He absolutely adored his grandchildren, Asha, Ahrav, and the newest baby Shantam. He had nicknames for each of them, and they had nicknames for him. They called him Nana banana, and coconut tree as he would let them climb him like the coconut trees he saw in his own childhood. He loved to play “pagalo pa” where he bounced the children on his feet and sang to them in his native tongue. Asha and her Nana shared a tradition of playing at the park and going out for ice cream that will always be a sweet memory for her. Janak’s grandson Ahrav prayed with his Nana (maternal grandfather) in his sweet little voice that made Janak smile. The family and Janak were overjoyed that he got to meet his newest grandson Shantam and caress baby cheeks before passing.

He was proud of all of his children. He loved and protected them while preparing them to live their lives. For them he modeled strength and passed down a thoughtful careful approach to life. He and Pushpa also passed down a respect for education raising all three children to be high school valedictorians.

The cornerstone of his life was his 50 year marriage to Pushpa. He was her North Star and she showed him a devotion and level of care that made his life and final years comfortable and enjoyable. His last sentiments were words and gestures in appreciation of his wife’s love and devotion. The marriage of Janaksinh and Pushpa exemplified resilience and commitment.

He is preceded in death by his parents (Khimji and Muna), and siblings (Madhu, Dharam, Mani, Manjula, and Jaya).

He is survived by his wife Pushpa, children Dharmindra Ramaiya (spouse Evan and granddaughter Asha), Kamalesh Janaksinh Ramaiya, and Hursha Patel (spouse Bhavik and grandsons Ahrav and Shantam). He is also survived by his siblings (Suraj, Shakuntala, and Hasia) and multiple cousins, nieces, nephews and their families.

From Zanzibar to North Dakota, Dr. Janaksinh Ramaiya lived a full life that affected and influenced countless people and lives.

He will be missed but not forgotten, having provided a lifetime full of memories for those who knew and loved him.

Jai Shree Krishna