Dilip L. Narayan, M.D.
Dilip L. Narayan was born in October of 1945 in Madras (now Chennai), in southern India. During his childhood he moved around India a lot, but Chennai was what he regarded as his true home. He was the only son of A. Lakshminarayanan and Sitalakshmi, who also had two daughters, his sisters Padmini and Asha. India was his first country and always remained deeply in his heart.
Following in the footsteps of his father, he attended Madras Medical College in India, where he studied gastroenterology and neurology. He came to Saint Louis in 1971, where he was an intern and resident at St. Luke’s Hospital and completed a three-year-fellowship in gastroenterology at Washington University Medical School/Barnes-Jewish Hospital. He met Dani (known to many by her first name, Joani) shortly after his arrival in the States. They fell in love over Cokes in the hospital cafeteria on Christmas Eve, proceeded to get season tickets to the Saint Louis Blues for four straight years, and sealed the deal by marrying in 1975. Dilip entered private practice in 1977 as a gastroenterologist and later a primary care physician. Dilip was a proud and loving father to three children, Rahm, Raj (Bret), and Kami, who are all attorneys in the Saint Louis area. In 2015, Dilip proudly became an American citizen, at a wonderful ceremony attended by all of his family. He continued practicing medicine until his recent illness.
For a man who didn’t touch alcohol or nicotine, followed a healthy diet, and started yawning by 8 pm, Dilip somehow still managed to be a bon vivant of the first order. He loved to cook, and loved to read, and whiled away many hours combining these passions by reading cookbooks. He traveled widely, all throughout India over many years, to France, and recently to Australia. He was well-read in history, mythology, and philosophy, and loved to chat about any and all of these and more with whoever was around. Because most of all, Dilip loved people.
Dilip was a strong, stoic, philosophizing, kind, warm, genuine, funny, goofy, spiritual, and deeply moral man. He got back home one night in medical school in India, tired after a night of helping with a surgery, and informed his surgeon father that he had helped to save a life. To which his father asked – who saved the life? Dilip, humbled, answered that God had saved the life. He lived his life and practiced medicine throughout his years with this sense of humility and reverence intact. He never turned away a patient who could not afford care or did not have insurance. He was a wonderful husband, son, father, doctor, friend, and citizen, and he will be deeply missed.
Dilip is survived by his wife Dani, his children Rahm (Misty), Raj (Anne), and Kami, granddaughters Adeline and Cecilia, his sisters Padmini (R.) Balakrishnan and Asha (R.) Doss, and a large and loving family including cousins, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
A few generous friends have inquired about making donations in Dilip’s honor. We are so grateful at that sentiment, and we know that Dilip liked and respected the Peregrine Society, which is dedicated to helping cancer patients in the Saint Louis Area. The society provides wraparound care for patients, including transportation, respite care, and care for children. They are located at 2343 Hampton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139 and can be reached at 314-781-6775.
Dilip’s family is so appreciative of the love and support that we have been wrapped in during this time. Thank you so much to all.
There will be a celebration of Dilip’s life held at Creve Couer Park, Tremayne Pavilion, on August 12th from 1-3, open house style. Please dress casually. We would love it if you could bring a word, phrase, or story about Dilip for our memory box.
We were surprised to hear of Dilip’s passing.
Our deepest sympathy to Dani and family.
Norman & Marilyn Brownsher
Dr. Narayan has been my doctor and my friend for over 30 years. I’m incredibly sad for his loss. I always felt he was only concerned about me, as it didn’t matter how much time we spent talking! He is irreplaceable as a doctor. Please accept my sincere condolences for your great and deep loss.
Both my husband, Bill Thomson, and I knew Dilip from St. Luke’s. We liked him. We respected him. We are very sorry for your loss.
Whenever I saw him, Dilip would say,
“Cathy Luh, how are you?” And I would reply, “You’re a poet. Didn’t know it.”
I’m so sad to hear of your lose. I remember Dilip as the true renaissance man. I am thinking of you and the children at this time.
Joani,
I was shocked and saddened to read about Dilip’s passing.
I will always remember the day I met him. It was July 1, the first day of his internship,
and he had walked to St. Luke’s wearing his overcoat!
Thoughts and prayers,
Pat
I met Dr. Dilip when he came to St. Luke’s. He was one of my best Interns and Residents. I was honored to be his primary care doctor. Will remember him for ever
I am deeply saddened to hear of Dr Narayan’s death. He happened to live in the place where I am from in India when he was a child, and would converse with me in the native language he learned during his stay there. What is mortal of him might have left us, but the rest will stay with all of us.
In sympathy,
The Nannapaneni’s
Jay, Haritha, Nischita, Rishita.
Dr. Narayan cared deeply for my parents for the last 30 years. I know I would have had my dad as long as I did if not for this man. He made sure my dad had the best doctors and the best care. My parents often talked about the joy all had when Dr. Narayan brought his parents to our family farm. I always enjoyed going to see him with my parents and most recently just my mom. I know he cared deeply because he gave me strict instructions to come with them… they needed me. He will always hold a special place in my heart. God bless.
Dani,
I am so sorry for your loss and I want to extend my most heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
My deepest sympathy to the family. He was one of the nicest people I know. We always talked for such a long time before each visit. I will miss him as a friend and as my physician.
Was so sorry to hear Dilip died and your great loss He was such a great doctor and person. I met him working in the St. Luke’s (East) ER; and he was always so friendly and kind/ caring to staff and patients. I enjoyed the budding romance when he and Joani began dating and was so excited when they married.
We are deeply saddened that Dilip has passed. We loved him and were very proud to have him as a member of our family – the whole family loved and respected him, especially his mother-in-law, and that says a lot! He had a wonderful sense of humor and we loved our conversations with him. He had such a gentle spirit and you always felt his warmth. We will miss him a lot. Much love to you, Dani.
Dr Narayan was my physician and friend for over thirty years. I trusted him implicitly. In responding to a medical problem, he would often refer to the stories his grandfather would regale him with as a child. How his eyes would light up,his love of his family was quite apparent. I will miss him very much. My deepest heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family,
Today, August 10, 2018 I called the office about an appointment and I just found out Dr. Narayan had passed. I am saddened, hurt and numb at this time.
I have been his patient for the last 41 years. I will truly miss him as being my Primary Physician who had patience and took the time to talk to me and explain the health issues while under his care.
I want to give my heartfelt condolences to you Dani, the family and friends.
May God shower his blessings on all of you.
Joe and I want to send our sincere condolences to Dr. Narayan’s family. He was a wonderful physician and we completely trusted his expertise. Dr. Narayan was truly a kind man. We are grateful for the time he gave us and the knowledge he shared to help us have a healthy life. We will miss him for a very long time. Blessings on his family, for sharing him with so many people.
My deepest condolences to Joani and Dilip’s family.
He was a friend and a colleague and we worked with Dilip at St. Luke’s Hospital
He took care of my parents who were impressed by his dedication and compassion and so were all our mutual patients.
Will miss him.
I am so very sad about your family’s loss. Dilip was wonderful in every way. He was clever, brilliant, very funny and the best family man. Dani my heart is with you and the children. We will never forget him.
I’m still trying to process this. Dr. Narayan was my doctor before and during my cancer in 2009. But afterwards, after the miracle, he was the reassuring voice every 3 months for nine years that “everything is great”, “whatever you’re doing, keep doing”, “you’re a walking miracle”. At first I thought every 3 months was too often but I became used to it and actually looked forward to my time with him. I loved talking to him during the office visit. He was a great doctor, and a good friend. I will miss him deeply.
I learned of Dr. Narayan’s passing yesterday morning, August 14,2018. Needless to say, I was devastated. He looked like the picture of health and was always very jovial and professional and all that the previous bio said about him. He was my doctor since 1970 and I was never disappointed with his care. Getting another doctor will be difficult because I will constantly compare that person to the excellence and perfection of Dr. Narayan. I send sincere condolences to his family and friends. I can imagine the devastation of this loss to them, however they are fortunate to have shared his wonderful life and love.
Dr. Narayan was a very knowledgeable and a warm person I a going to miss. Objectively positioning a given problem and helping us understand was his world.. passion I could see…
I remember I mentioned about my wife’s grand father and he immediately stood up and said “he was my mentor”…
A very helping man…. someone I once knew had insurance issues and he helped find the right help to get the help…
I met Dilip when he came to St Luke’s Hospital in 1971 He was one of Nicest people you could have met always had a story to tell about India and making us laugh in the ICU our patients loved him as we all did Joan God Bless you and your family
Dr. Narayan was my doctor for over 15 years. He helped me through both sickness and in life. In that short amount of time, I learned that we had common friends and shared the love of history and traveling. The medical field and everyone that knew him lost a great person. My deepest condolences to you and yours.
Andrew Cox
My deepest condolences to Dani and Dr. Narayan’s entire family. I pray that God’s grace and peace is with you during this difficult time.
It was with great sadness and shock that I opened a letter, thinking it was perhaps a retirement notice, only to find out Dr. Narayan had passed. He was my doctor and friend for at least 33 years. He also took care of my elderly parents. I do not think we would have had them as long as we did without his care.
Dr. Narayan was the best of the best. Because of the true caring he had, I do not believe we could have found a better doctor. He will be greatly missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Dilip’s family and friends. He was a truly special man. He was so caring and compassionate. He was so knowledgeable and I am so thankful for the time that I have been his patient. I have been his patient for many years now. With all of my health issues I would see him every 6 weeks for all these years that I have been seeing him except when he was on vacation or out of town. I will truly miss him. He was not only my doctor but a dear friend. I just found out today of Dilip’s passing. I was so shocked and upset. God Bless all of his family and I am truly sorry for your great loss.
Very sorry to learn of dear Dilip’passing.Just happened to think of him today and decided to look him up.I joined Saint Luke’s in Saint Louis in 1969 and Dilip In 1971.I was a resident in Surgery and he in medicine.We spent as much time together as possible in those hectic days. I got married in 1972 and he would come and have meals with us from time to time.He met and married a young lady that worked in medical records at that time. Remember going to his Jewish wedding ceremony.It was good time. After finishing my training I moved away and lost tract.
My heartfelt condolences to his wife Dani and his children.God bless.