Rio Linda and North Highlands “Country Doctor”, July 8, 1924 ~ February 1, 2021, age 96
Our dad, Rai Bahadursingh, left this world for his heavenly home on Monday, February 1, 2021 at the age of 96. He passed away peacefully at his home in Rocklin, ending an amazing life journey.
Dad was born on July 8, 1924 in Trinidad, British West Indies to John and Sumintra Bahadursingh. He grew up without electricity, indoor plumbing, telephones, or health care we find common today. Amazingly enough, he survived childhood despite contracting malaria as a young man and losing siblings to diphtheria, rheumatic heart disease, and amoebic dysentery. Driven by the ambition to succeed in life and possessing a strong work ethic, Dad came to the United States in the summer of 1946 at the age of 22 to pursue an education and fulfill his dream of becoming a physician. Not averse to hard work, Dad loved to share stories of the variety of jobs he held including planting sugarcane with his grandfather, bottling and delivering milk on his way to school in Trinidad, hotel dishwasher, embalmer, and working in a Russell Stover’s chocolate factory. Overcoming many obstacles and challenges, he was accepted to the University of Nebraska and graduated from medical school in 1958. He was a lifetime Cornhuskers fan! During their senior year, Dad caught the eye of a beautiful RN, Ardyce June Miller, and they married the week after graduation on June 22, 1958. She was the love of his life with a marriage lasting over 58 years.
On July 1, 1958 they packed all of their belongings in Dad’s white chevy, and drove to Seattle where Dad completed his internship at Doctor’s Hospital while Mom worked as an operating nurse at Swedish Hospital. Dad then took his first job at a psychiatric facility in Medical Lake, WA. and enjoyed trout fishing and picnics with Mom on his days off.
The California sunshine and need for a local doctor enticed them to move to Rio Linda in January of 1961, where he opened his first medical practice and was the “town doc” until moving his practice to North Highlands. His children have fond memories of him always coming home for lunch and the quarter that bought a donut and carton of milk from Marie’s Donuts next door to his office.
Dad loved his yard and garden, German shepherds, raising goats, sheep and sharing 4-H experiences with his family by volunteering to be the “camp doctor” at summer camp. Dad traveled the world with Mom and loved sharing stories of their adventures.
Dad had a lifelong love of medicine and learning. He still had a current medical license, mastered his computer, and was a resource to his grandchildren on those chemistry and math problems with his amazing recall. Dad’s greatest love was his family. His mischievous side was evident by his love of a good joke and great sense of humor. He lived for visits and phone calls with his children and grandchildren, and was immensely proud of each one. His uncanny ability to find coconut candy pieces in the Whitman Sampler box, daily consumption of Rice Krispies “biscuits,” freezer stocked with ice cream favorites for each grandchild and one minute phone calls to check in are a snapshot of “Grandpa Rai.” We are blessed by Dad’s rich and full life, and the legacy he has given us. He lived the American dream with his perseverance and positive outlook.
Rai is survived by daughter Tresa Jorgensen (Warren), their children Roseann (Brent), Isaac, and Alora; daughter Tanna Forbes (Ray), their son Raymond; son Todd (Anne), their children Adam (Kelsey), Aaron (Shay), Kiri (Blake); and son Trent (Dee Ann), their children Ryan, Holly and Amy.
Due to Covid, a private Celebration of Life will be held. Please honor his life by visiting the Sierra View Funeral Chapel website and sharing a story with us.
Gifts in Dad’s memory can be made to the Placer County 4-H Youth Program as follows:
Checks Payable to: California 4-H Foundation
Memo Line: Rai Bahadursingh M.D.
Mail to: California 4-H Foundation, 2801 Second Street, Davis, CA 95618
