Dr. Virinder "Vinnie" Singh Grewal

With deep sadness and profound loss we announce the passing of Dr. Virinder Singh Grewal, affectionately known as “Vinnie”, on April 5, 2026, at the age of 91. He passed peacefully surrounded by family.

Born on August 29, 1934, in Dhilma, Bhatinda (Punjab), India, Vinnie was raised in a large and close-knit family. He was the second-oldest in a family of 10 children. His father, S.S.S. Karam Singh Grewal, IPS chief of police of Punjab, and his beloved mother “Biji”, Liveleen Kaur Grewal, were both hard-working and dedicated parents who passed their strong family values and determination onto their children.

From a young age, Vinnie demonstrated exceptional discipline, intelligence, and ambition. Guided by a strong sense of purpose, Vinnie graduated from King George's Medical College (University of Lucknow) in India in 1958 and became a physician in the army and served as a Medical Officer with the rank of major.

While serving, he met and immediately became enchanted by his future wife, Manjit Kaur Gill, an ambitious nurse in the army serving as a captain. In a beautiful and uncommon story for the time, Vinnie entered into a love marriage with Manjit on January 12, 1964—defying the norms of arranged marriages. Soon after, they welcomed their first child, Gaggandeep (Deep), and embarked on a new chapter, immigrating to Lansing, Michigan, with just six dollars, determination, and hope for the future.

With thousands of surgeries already under his belt from his service in the Punjabi Army, Dr. Grewal quickly found his stride in Lansing and built an extraordinary medical career marked by innovation, leadership, and precision. Early on, he was recognized and mentored by Dr. David Siegal, who saw in him a rare brilliance and dedication, and his focus on urology had begun. He became widely respected as one of the fastest and most skilled urological surgeons in the area.

As their family grew, so did the ambition to succeed and provide. Vinnie became Chief of Urology at Sparrow Hospital and Ingham Medical Hospital. A pioneer in his field, Dr. Grewal performed groundbreaking procedures, including performing Michigan’s first kidney transplant. In the mid-1980s, he traveled to Germany to study lithotripsy technology and played a key role in bringing this innovation to Michigan. He also served as the President of the Greater Lansing Urological Association.

Faith and spirituality was always at the core of the Grewal family and when Vinnie and Manjit arrived in Lansing, they were one of the first Sikh families in the area. They brought the first Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, or sikh holy book, to Lansing and established the first Gurdwara in the area.

A man of deep reflection and spirituality, Dr. Grewal was passionate about exploring life’s deeper meanings. He authored over 170 essays on spiritualism and related themes, sharing insights on topics such as attachment, greed, and personal growth. His lifelong commitment to self-improvement was also reflected in his more than 25 years of involvement with Alcoholics Anonymous, where he served as a sponsor and mentor to many.

Vinnie also strongly believed in the importance of education. He felt it was his duty to provide it for his children, and worked hard in this endeavor, believing that once obtained, it could never be taken away.

Tying these two passions together, he was instrumental in establishing the Sikh Studies Chair at the University of Michigan, a prestigious endowed professorship and the first of its kind in North America. Dr. Grewal served as a key fundraiser and spokesperson for the initiative throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. He famously hosted annual prayers at his home in Williamston to mobilize the community and renew appeals for the endowment fund. His efforts had led to the continued teaching of Sikh history, language, and philosophy. In addition, he was an adjunct professor at both the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, where he helped shape future generations of physicians.

Dr. Grewal was deeply committed to community service. He helped to found the Carefree Clinic, where the community could receive free medical care in Lansing. He also donated over one million dollars’ worth of medical equipment to underserved communities and developing countries.

Vinnie will be remembered not only for his remarkable professional achievements, but also for his fearless drive to improve the world around him—whether through medicine, education, or spiritual guidance. His legacy is one of compassion, intellect, innovation, and service.

Dr. Virinder Singh Grewal’s life stands as a testament to perseverance, vision, and the enduring power of giving. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

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He is survived by his beloved children: Gaggandeep “Deep” Singh and Lisa A. Grewal, Manvir “Mick” Singh and Rebecca Grewal, Amardeep “Annu” Singh and Susan Grewal, and Gurbrinder “Rita” Kaur and Sukhdev Sekhon.

He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Virinder II “Vinnie”, Gaggandeep Jr “Deepie”, Gianna, Blake & Kiersten, Mya, Manvir Jr. “Mickey”, Brooklyn, Melaina, Simara, Ravdeep “Ravi”, Jaideep “Jai”, Sanamdeep “Sanam” and Sabrin.

He is also survived by his siblings: Tejinder Kaur Grewal, Gurleen Kaur Atwal, Mohinder Singh Grewal, Narinder Singh Grewal, Darshan Singh Grewal, Harsharan Singh Grewal and Honey Grewal.

He is also survived by his nieces, nephews and Grewal family: Mark and Shari Grewal (children- Stephanie, Matthew, Courtney, Kristin, Megan, Ian, Dillon), Greg & Debbie Grewal (children- Christina & Sheena), Denise Grewal (child- Jeremy), Preeti and Mukand Malhi (children- Kiran, Sathingerpaul and Rajinder), Jessie and Jennifer Somal (child- Addison), Aman Somal & Eli Feiling (children- Sebastian, Edgar, Oliver), Jatinder & Colleen Somal (children- Madden and Lila), Bob & Raminder Somal (child- Rajvir), Dawn Atwal & Ali Javahery (children- Koby & Sienna), Mohit & Diana Khera (children- Dalia, Nadia, Shiv), Andy and Suki Atwal (children- Kami & Krish), Bobbie Grewal & family, Jeff Grewal & Nicole Euan & family, Gwen Grewal, Sarah Grewal (child- Brynn), Ike Grewal & family, Lily Grewal & family, Glenn Grewal & family and Shannon Grewal & family. And many other nieces, nephews.

He is also survived by his much-loved Gill family. And many others who became family to him.

He is predeceased by his beloved wife, Manjit Kaur Grewal.

And by his Parents, S.S.S. Karam Singh and Liveleen Kaur Grewal.

And his Brothers Tejinder Singh Grewal and Narinder Singh Somal.

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Antim Ardaas Service will be held Friday, April 10 at 10:00 AM at:

Gurudwara Sahib Guru Nanak Sikh Centre, 1700 South Canal Rd, Lansing, MI 48917.

Please do not send flowers, instead we suggest donations to be made to:

Gurudwara Sahib Guru Nanak Sikh Centre in Lansing.

Lansinggurdwara.org

(517) 272-0231

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Links:

Dr. Virinder S. Grewal’s writings can be found here: https://spiritualism-asikhperspective.blogspot.com/

University of Michigan’s Sikh Studies Chair: https://lsa.umich.edu/asian/language-and-academic-programs/sikh-studies/About.html