Dr. Dheeraj Lal was born on August 25, 1938 in Hyderabad, India, the third of five children of Dr. Ram Lal and Durga Bai. He passed away on January 24, 2023 with his family at his side at the age of 84 after an acute exacerbation of pulmonary fibrosis.
After completing his education at Nizam College in 1956 and completing his medical degree at Osmania Medical College in 1961, he went to London to complete his MRCP. He then continued his internal medicine training in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Boston, MA. He completed his fellowships in Gastroenterology at University of Illinois-Chicago and University of Iowa.
In 1971, Dheeraj married his wife, Shyamala, and eventually settled in Southern California where he practiced medicine and helped shape the lives of their three children. He was a dedicated physician and father whose passions led him to a rich medical career and a family who loved him more than words can describe. He taught his children the values of honesty, integrity, and hard work; the importance of pushing yourself to be a better person and facing adversity with resolve and determination. His love for his family was palpable—no one doubted what he would do and how much he would give to protect his family. He was a voracious reader and his love of books was well documented through the knowledge he shared with the world. If he had a book in his hand and his children by his side, he was a happy man.
In 2016, he moved to Newport Beach where he enjoyed a well-deserved retirement full of family and friends, reading, exercising, and playing bridge. Dheeraj is survived by his daughter, Manju Lal of Newport Beach, California, his son, Dr. Ashwini Lal of Pasadena, California, his brother, Govind Lal of Hyderabad, India, his brother, Dr. Roop Lal of Naperville, Illinois, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Ram Lal, his wife, Shyamala Lal, and by his sister, Padma Devi Gayhee.
A funeral service for Dr. Dheeraj Lal will be held on Thursday, February 2nd at 10am at Pacific View Mortuary (3500 Pacific View Dr, Corona Del Mar, CA) with a private service for family immediately following.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation be made in memory of Dr. Dheeraj Lal to either Doctors Without Borders or Habitat for Humanity.
