Ujjal Singh Sandhu M.D.

Dr Sandhu was born in Calcutta India on November 14, 1939. He moved to McKeesport, PA with $7 in his pocket in 1967 for a residency in McKeesport, PA, before settling in Charleston, WV with his devoted wife Sukhbinder K Sandhu in 1971 where he lived for over 50 years. In Charleston, Dr. Sandhu raised their two children (Kiran and Jit), jogged daily, built a thriving medical practice and was an active community member, helping to found the India Center, and supporting numerous community organizations such as Manna Meal.

All who knew Dr. Sandhu can attest to his hardy personality. He was like a chili pepper, adding flavor and spice along with warmth and backbone to all endeavors. He had a biting temper that was counterbalanced by his kindness and generosity. He loved hard work and hard drinks, gave generously to charity, fed guests with enthusiasm, and showered all of the children in his life with gifts of chocolate, batteries, and cash.

As an OB GYN at Charleston Area Medical Center, Dr. Sandhu delivered thousands of babies. When his kids went anywhere in Charleston with Dr. Sandhu, they were guaranteed the pleasure of running into patients who shared stories of the children Dr. Sandhu had delivered. At CAMC, Dr. Sandhu also mentored countless young medical professionals, “teaching generations of doctors and PAs how to operate, how to think, how to prepare and how to respect the art of surgery” (Leslie Hartman Adkins, PA).

Like many immigrants, Dr. Sandhu was stalwart in supporting his family back home, many of whom were able to immigrate to the USA through the process of family-based immigration. As a medical student in Calcutta in the 1960’s, Dr. Sandhu lived with his brother Surjit Singh Sandhu’s family. Later, in the 1980’s Dr. Sandhu was able to sponsor Surjit Singh’s son, Sukhminder (Sukhi) Sandhu to come to the US. Sukhi came to WV where he attended college and lived with Dr. Sandhu’s family; later settling in Southern California. This relationship came full circle when Dr. Sandhu needed care at the end of his life and Sukhi and his wife Ranjit opened up their home to look after Dr. Sandhu for the last several years, taking him to physical therapy, doctors appointments and supporting his overall well-being. In California, Dr. Sandhu was also pampered by his brother Balwant Singh Sandhu’s four daughters’ families (Balwinder Kaur Bedi, Sukhi Kaur Sidhu, Sukhjinder Danoa and Babu Tiwana).

Dr. Sandhu is survived by his nurturing wife of 55 years, Sukhbinder. He is also survived by his daughter Kiran (Jason), son Jit (Kimberly), grandchildren Ella, Millen, Hannah, Sajel and Curren, and numerous loving nieces and nephews and extended family members.

Preceded in death by his mother, father, four brothers and one sister.