Brijendra Kumar Sood

Born in Ludhiana, India, Dr. Sood’s pioneering spirit forged an adventurous life that spanned multiple continents. At a young age, Brij and his family left India and settled in Kenya. He completed his medical studies in Birmingham, England where he met his wife Narindar, who was studying to be a registered nurse. Brij always left an impression on those he met. He treated the underserved when no one else would, providing critical medical services in remote areas & towns of East Africa where his work ranged from treating patients in leper colonies to performing complex surgeries in remote African villages.

In 1964 Brij & Narindar immigrated to Canada with their young family, Rupa, Veena and Manoj. Brij began practicing medicine throughout western Canada, eventually settling in Calgary in 1968. As a result of the care he provided for the Indigenous community of Morley, Alberta, The Stoney Tribe’s Chief Walking Buffalo inducted Dr. Sood into their community as honorary Chief ‘Little Rainbow’.

Brij was a staff physician at Calgary’s General and Grace Hospitals & had an active medical practice in the Bowness area of Calgary for over 60 years, practicing well into his 80’s.

He received numerous honours throughout his life; the one most cherished was the 2002 Order of Canada, followed by The Alberta Medical Society’s 100 Physicians of the Century.

Brij’s extensive community work included being a founding member of the India Canada Society, the Hindu Society of Calgary and the Calgary Multicultural Society. He was also active with St Johns Ambulance working in Canada’s northern communities.

As a hobby magician, ‘The Great Soodini’ or ‘Uncle Magic’ (to his nieces and nephews), volunteered his time to entertain children and adults alike with his sleight-of-hand. At his 2002 Order of Canada induction, he even pulled a quarter out of then Governor General Adrienne Clarkson’s ear.

Brij was born to be a doctor and fulfilled his oath to serve to the greatest degree. He leaves behind his wife, Narindar, daughters Rupa and Veena, son Manoj and grandson, Kama. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.

Friends and family will be invited to a Celebration of Life Service to be held in the weeks that follow. The Sood family thanks you for your messages and condolences.

In lieu of flowers a donation to the Foothills Country Hospice will be welcomed www.countryhospice.org/support-us/

Regards, The Sood Family