Durga Das Guha

Dr. Durga Das Guha, 102, of Terre Haute, IN, passed away of natural causes with his family by his side in Indianapolis, IN on July 4th. He served as a respected surgeon and healthcare professional in Vermillion, Parke, and Vigo Counties from 1975 onwards. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Kalpana; his daughter, Nandita, son, Rajiv, and grandchildren Ethan and Sonia. Dr. Guha was born on March 19, 1918, in Mymensingh, Bengal (present-day Bangladesh), spending his childhood in Chittagong. Fulfilling a childhood dream, he studied medicine and received a degree (M.B.B.S) from Calcutta University. Immediately after, he joined Military Service as a Medical Officer for the Indian Army Medical Corps during World War II engaging in front line duties with the Allied Forces Italian Campaign. In wartime, he was promoted to Regimental Medical Officer (R.M.O.) of the 2nd Battalion in the 6th Gurkha Rifles with rank Captain. Soon after WWII, Dr. Guha left for England to specialize in Surgery. During his decade-plus stay in England, he served at numerous NHS hospitals gathering considerable surgical experience as House Surgeon and Registrar in general, orthopedic, and thoracic Surgery as well as achieving the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (F.R.C.S.Eng) in 1956. Dr. Guha returned to Calcutta and then, in 1961, he took up the role as Surgical Specialist with the Ministry of Health, Ghana. He remained in this position for several years and then moved back to England. Soon after he moved to the USA accepting an appointment at Norton Hospital in Louisville, KY. He settled down and set up his private practice in Indiana, serving both Vermillion and Parke Counties in 1975. Dr. Guha was an active member of the Indian Association of Terre Haute and an enthusiastic fundraiser for the March of Dimes of Terre Haute. At the age of 95, he was awarded the Fundraiser of the Year Award by the March of Dimes of Terre Haute. Dr. Guha was an avid jogger, world traveler, took an active interest in the stock market, and was known to love and eat bags of chilies in one sitting. Dr.Guha is held in loving memory by his family, friends, and the many communities he has served. Cremation will take place at Leppert Mortuaries in Indianapolis. A private ceremony will be held for the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Dr. Guha’s name to the March of Dimes Indiana Chapter, 6330 E. 75th Street #306, Indianapolis, IN 46250 or Riley Children’s Foundation, 30 South Meridian St. #200, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.leppertmortuary.com