Ashok and Trish Dr. Bajaj
Bajaj, Dr. Ashok and Trish, passed away on Saturday, February 16, 2008. Memorial services will be 11:00 am, Saturday, February 23, Church of the Magdalen at 12626 E. 21st North. Both Ashok Trish accomplished a great deal and they impacted many lives. Dr. Bajaj was a cardiologist and founder of Bajaj Electrophysiology. Mrs. Bajaj was a teacher and master gardener. They embraced life and loved everything they could do together - including marathons, triathlons, waterskiing, traveling, flying airplanes and most of all, spending time with family. Their legacy lives on in their two wonderful sons - Brian Kevin. Ashok was born in Ferozepur City, India in 1958. The Bajaj family moved to Wichita in 1968. Ashok graduated from Wichita Southeast High School , Wichita State University the University of Kansas Medical School. After post-graduate medical training at Vanderbilt, he did his electrophysiology training at University of Indiana. Trish was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1957. She graduated from Wichita West High School and attended the Wichita State University. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Languages. Trish was a linguist and loved learning about new cultures. After graduation, Trish taught Russian German as well as English as a second language. At one time, she was the only person in the state of Tennessee to teach Russian at the high school level. In 1989, Ashok Trish moved back to Wichita - this time with their two beautiful sons. He was a founding member of Heartland Cardiology. He was an accomplished and caring physician, receiving patient referrals throughout the country. Dr. Bajaj was a pioneer - he performed the first ablation therapy for heart arrhythmias in Wichita. He had a passion for athletics, and finished over 20 marathons and 4 ironman triathlons. Trish also ran in many of these marathons. Trish was a caring person and was always there to lend a helping hand. She loved being outdoors and was active in the Sedgwick County Extension Office. Survivors: sons, Brian Ashok Bajaj and Kevin Ashok Bajaj, both of Wichita, KS; Dr. Bajajs parents, Prem and Raj Bajaj of Wichita, KS; brothers, Ravi (Jill) Bajaj of Wichita, Arvind (Sheila) Bajaj of New Canaan, CT and Ajay (Lyn) Bajaj of Littleton, CO; sister, Anita (Dean) Newton of Prairie Village, KS; Trishs mother and step-father, Margaret Turner Burch and Robert Burch of Wichita; sisters, Kathy Tuttle (Dan) Franks of Wichita, Karen Crumm of Las Vegas, NV and Colleen Bonar of Colorado Springs, CO. Trish was preceded in death by her father, H.L. (Bob) Turner, and brother, Dennis Turner. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to: Ashok and Trish Bajaj Memorial Scholarship, c/o Wichita State University Foundation, 1845 N. Fairmount, Box 2, Wichita, KS 67260-0002. The family would be honored to receive any special stories in remembrance of Trish and Ashok.
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2-22-08 Memories of Ashok Bajaj I worked with Dr. Ashok in the Heart Catheterization Lab @ Wesley. Always soft spoken, Dr. Ashok would talk to his patients during the catheterization, answering their questions and trying to lessen their fears. I remember one patient that was a heavy smoker; Dr. Ashok asked the patient what kind of cigarettes he ‘USED’ to smoke? The patient was caught off guard, and replied, ‘When did I quit?’ Dr. Ashok softly told him – ‘Today’ I had the privilege of working with Dr. Bajaj in what was then Internal Medicine Associates. Sometimes taking calls from his patients. Then I became one of his patients. One way to find a great physician is to ask the staff in the medical practice who they go to for medical care. When you have someone that works for a physician (seeing all their quirks) and then selects that physician for personal or family care – Thats the physician you want to see. That was Dr. Ashok. After a few years on cardiac meds for an arrhythmia, Dr. Ashok performed an ablation. Now 14 years later, I am still cardiac-med-free with a normal (even for me) heart rate and rhythm. My daughter at 21 began showing signs of a similar arrhythmia problem while attending college in Colorado, Dr. Ashok answered my questions – and again lessened my fears. Over the years, we all tend to lose touch with the people that have touched our lives. I think that is human nature, and the natural progression of things. People come into our lives and then they or we move on. I think the key is to never lose sight of the impact we have on each other, short and long-term. I dont know if I ever told Dr. Ashok the impact he had on my life and in turn, the lives of those I may have touched. But, knowing Dr. Ashok, he would have softly said ‘my pleasure’ to my thank you. So today I say Thank you to Brian and Kevin. Thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Prem Bajaj. Thank you Dr. Ravi and thank you all of Dr. Bajajs family. Thank you to Trishs family. Thank you for sharing your loved ones with me and with all whose lives have been touched by Trish and Ashok. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with each of you. I remember the sentiment Father Scaletti said at my husbands mass – ‘Even though Trish and Ashok loved you so very much, they would not come back, they are happy where they are, with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit’ May you find comfort in knowing that Trish and Ashok know that they were loved by you, and in the end, that is all we can give anyone. Beth Buchholz
To the Family of Ashok and Trish, Larry and I wish to express our deepest sympathy to you on the tragic loss of Ashok and Trish. I have been struggling for weeks on how to put together the right words to sum up what they have meant to our family. We are terribly saddened and miss them both. We knew Ashok and feel a terrible sense of loss both professionally, but more importantly as friends. I had met Trish on several occasions and she was delightful. I wish I would have had the opportunity to get to know her better. Our lives have intertwined in many ways over the last 32 years. We have known Ashok and Ravi since we were Pre-med students at WSU. Larry was working on his PhD in Organic Chemistry and both Ashok and Ravi were his students in Org. Chem. Lab. Ashok and Ravi were always the top students in the class. Ashok, Ravi, Larry, and I all ended up in med school at KU and then we lost track of Ashok, Trish, and Ravi while they were out of state during residency and Ashok’s fellowship. We were so glad to hear they had all moved back to Wichita. Larry and I both had patients in common with Ashok and we were always so impressed with not only his expertise, but his calm bedside manner. This was especially important to us when, in 1999 our 11 year old son Jon complained of a ‘vibrating chest’ and Ashok ended up performing a life saving ablation. I told Ashok I never dreamt that the teenager I studied with at WSU 23 years earlier would end up saving our son’s life. The following year, Jon became interested in running and eventually long distance running. And then, once again our lives crossed when Jon would start running in races with Ashok and Trish. It was at a race where I got to meet their fine young sons. I know they loved them deeply and were very proud of them. The last race I remember was the 10 mile Turkey Trot in 2004. I took several good pictures of Jon and Ashok together after that race and Ashok said he wanted a copy. I sent him one and he thanked me saying that he liked to show pictures of his success cases to his patients who are getting ready to have an ablation. I have recently kept those pictures with me and have had the opportunity to show Jon and Ashok’s picture and tell their story. It is still hard for me to fathom that I cannot just pick up the phone and page Ashok when I have a patient that I need to ask him about. He was always so bubbly, and acted like he always had all the time in the world for me even though I knew he was very busy. And just as Ashok saved Jon’s life, Ravi saved Larry’s life in 2001 after Larry suffered a heart attack. Ravi has been a wonderful cardiologist to several members of our family, but most of all, we call him a dear friend. The memorial service was beautiful and Ashok’s younger brother did a wonderful job describing Ashok. There is a hole in our hearts and a hole in the heart of the whole medical community. And I know Trish has left a terrible void that can never be filled as well. Once again, Larry, Chris, Jon, and I all express our deepest condolences and sorrow. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. In Christ’s Love Larry, Kim, Chris, and Jon Pankow
I never had the pleasure of meeting these amazing people, but I kind of felt I knew them somewhat through the ‘lenses’ of my very dear friend who was his office manager and one of the nurses. Please accept my deepest sympathy dear family members. I have been very moved by the numerous tributes I’ve read – Wichita and all surrounding communities have indeed suffered a great loss.
Mike I can remember playing with Trish upstairs when I was little. She was so kind and loving. I remember their wedding and how beautiful I thought it was as a child. Years later at Dad’s appts when Mom and I would take him in to see Ashok, and visiting with Ashok when he was called down to the ER (where I worked), I could see what a perfect match God had created for each of them. My heart and prayers go out to you and the boys. May your hearts find peace in the love and happiness God blessed upon you. In our thoughts and prayers always. Tina (Burke)Ward.
Bajaj Family: I was moved at the memorial service today by numbers and content. What a wanderful tribute to Trish Ashok Brian Kevin and both families! I was raised in western KS and later educated at Hutchinson and WSU 1974-76. Lorra and I moved with the FBI to D.C.; Salt Lake City; and New York City. Lorra and I both next worked for Diagnostic Radiology Physicians, Salt Lake City, before moving back to Wichita with the Wichita Clinic and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Beginning in 1981, I stared having problems with a rapid heart rate in excess of 200 bpm. After numerous trips to Wesley ER, they suggested my tachicardia issues could be fixed and a friend from cardiac ICU told me there was only one choice, Dr. Ashok. I saw him for the first time in late Dec. 1995, and he worked me in for an ablation on Jan. 4, 1996, a date I will never forget. He fixed my problem in about two hours. What a mind and what a beside manner! As I have ready and heard so many times, I too was very comfortable with Ashok on the first meeting and trusted his judgement completely. We have been around many physicians the past 33 years and I have never met a physician as compassionate as Ashok. My career in law enforcement would probalby have been cut short without this interventon by Ashok. He and his nurse did not agree with the exact locaton of my problem, extra AV node. I recall they had a small wager and he was correct. In 1990, one of my co-workers was diagnosed with the same issue, and I sat with his mother with Ashok fixed his problem. We both continue in law enforcement only because of his expertise. Lorra was well acquainted with Ashok and staff through her CT work at the Wichta Clinic. I met Trish one time with her mother at a restaurant on Douglas through a mutual frined in law enforcement who had grown up with Trish, Paul O’Mara. I saw Paul and his wife at the service today. If in only a small way, I hope you can understand my deep appreciaton to Ashok and to you for the second chance Ashok gave me in 1996. We too have sons 24 and 19, and I an not sure I would have had the opporunity to watch them through and live such a complete life without this second chance as well. I try to remember that each day!! I think I may have embarrassed him, but I always tried to send a ‘thank you’ card on January 4th. Randy Ewy Kansas Bureau of Investigation Lorra Ewy Wichita Clinic
So sorry to hear of the unexpected death of Dr. Bajaj and his wife! It’s been many years since I worked with him, but he is remembered fondly. This is a great loss for Wichita, and a huge loss for their sons. My wishes are for the boys to be surrounded by good friends and family at this time and in the future.
I first met Ashok when we were both 16 year old whiz kids taking Honors chemistry from Dr. Gary Simons at Wichita State University. It was the fall of 1974 and we competed for the highest grade in the class. And he was a fierce competitor! I never competed against him in athletic events but I assume he fought to win in the sports arena as hard as he did in the academic arena. Chemistry laboratory was where Ashok would really shine, performing experiments and testing theories with great skill and precision, and after a couple of semesters our competitive nature gave way to genuine respect. As we grew up and entered our respective professions I found that what I had called a competitive nature was actually a quest for excellence, as all of his patients can attest to. Our community and world has lost dedicated and caring friend and physician but our loss is heaven’s gain.
I was shocked and sadded to hear of Dr. Bajaj’s sudden passing. He held a special place in my life. He saved my life following the birth of my daughter in 1994. I developed a cardiomyopathy and was in heart failure. He was caring and compassionate, and even funny at times. About three months after I was released from the hospital, I was called upon to play in a softball game. After playing in the game, I went in for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Bajaj and told him that I had played softball. He told me ‘you were almost dead three months ago and now you are playing softball?’ Later, after I started working at Wesley, I saw him on almost a daily basis in the hallways. He always greeted me by name, even though I was unsure if he remembered me from when I was his patient. I regret now that I did not tell him ‘thank you’ for how he helped me and my family. Although this loss is very tragic, Dr. Bajaj’s family should be proud of the lives that he touched and all of the lives that he saved over his career. I know that I will always be grateful that Dr. Bajaj was there for me.
I was very saddened to hear about Dr Bajaj and his wife. He completely changed my life. I moved to Wichita in 1991 and had WPW. I was one of his first ablation patients. I was an avid aviation enthusiast and pilot, but with WPW I could never fly as a profession. After the ablation I could now fly commercially. I went on to become a test pilot for one of the aircraft manufacturers in Wichita, and am still in Wichita and still test flying thanks to Dr. Bajaj. Frank Magnusson Associate Fellow, Society of Experimental Test Pilots
A great man. Dr. Bajaj implanted pacemakers for me twice. A life saver. I enjoyed kidding him about carrying an electrician union membership card. That was during surgery. I shall miss him.
Seventeen years ago February 21, 1991, Dr. Ashok performed my heart ablation to correct an AV Nodule Reentry Tachycardia problem I had suffered with for six years. As my husband and I recall, I was the first in the U.S. to be diagnosed with this condition, and definitely the first to have it corrected ~ as an experimental procedure! We had to wait for Wesley Medical Center to get the machine in and running before Dr. A. could work on me and saved my life. For the first year or two after the procedure, Dr. A. would have some of his hesitant patients call me to talk with them and answer questions regarding my experience. We were so impressed with his care, compassion, and ability that we sent many people to him when they were having problems. He even commented to one of the people that ‘Marilyn must know everyone in Butler County.’ On my first anniversary date, my husband and I sent Dr. A. a beautiful bouquet of flowers thanking him for saving my life. I told my husband that every twenty years I would touch base with Dr. A. and send him more flowers. In March, 2000, Dr. A. diagnosed our daughter with WPW. Marci was a nurse at Wesley when she had her first symptoms, and once again, Dr. A. came through, saving her life. After her procedure, I jokingly told him I hoped not to see him on a professional basis again! This is a bittersweet week for us. I am celebrating my ‘seventeenth heart birthday’, (actually 57 yrs. old) because of Dr. As brilliancy, but my heart is breaking for the Bajaj family, friends, patients, medical field, and the selfish fact that I wont be sending flowers to his office in February, 2011. Our sorrow is nothing compared to that of the Bajaj family! It is our fervent prayer that you feel Gods love and comfort, know how grateful we are for knowing your son, father, brother, friend, as we extend our deepest, heartfelt sympathy! Mike & Marilyn Slaymaker Whitewater, Kansas
I;d like to extend my deepest sympathy to the Bajaj family. I am very sorry. Dr. Bajaj saved my life. In 1989 I was his first patient to have surgery to cury my heart condition. The first in Kansas. He was the most caring, patient, compassionate, and kindest doctor (person) I have had the pleasure of knowing. It meant so much to me that he took the time to talk and explain things, even though I’m sure he was running behind with his appointments. He always made time for me. At my appointments we would discuss my heart condition, then we would talk flying. He was a good man. I’ll miss him very much. A friend and patient. Jay Ravenscraft
My husband & I will miss him very much. He was such a wonderful doctor as well as great humane being. He will really be missed. All of our prayers are with the family in this time of sorrow. The community has truly lost a very honorable and humble humane being. May God bless the family and may he & his wife be in their hearts forever. Deniis & Barbara Rice 3334 Oaklawn Dr Wichita, Ks 67216
My husband & I will miss him very much. It was such a wonderful doctor as well as great humane being. He will really be missed. All of our prayers are the family in this time of sorrow. The community has truly lost a very honorable and humble humane being. May God bless the family and may he & his wife be in their hearts forever. Deniis & Barbara Rice 3334 Oaklawn Dr Wichita, Ks 67216
To Brian and Kevin, I hadn’t seen your mother for a number of years but enjoyed her so much some years ago when I got to play tennis with her. I always had a soft spot in my heart for her because of her kindness, sincerity and fun-spiritedness. I was so sad to read about your parents. Though I never met your father, I am very lucky to have known your mother. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
I worked as a Master Gardener with Trish on many projects. I remember her for her enthusiasm — her outgoing manner — her warmth and friendliness toward others. Her two primary loves as a Master Gardener were trees and the Nature Trail. She was willing to take on any project that enhanced the educational tree program. Never afraid of hard work, her hands fit a shovel — lopping shears — or a large fork to spread compost. Trish was an inspirational & driving force in developing the Nature Trail on the Sedgwick County Extension grounds. Together we worked with others in developing and clearing the trail. One morning we sprayed poison ivy to make the trail user friendly. She had a vision of the trail becoming a source of education, relaxation and pleasure for all who would venture into its verdant beauty. Trish will be greatly missed. She was a personal inspiration for me as was she for her many Master Gardener friends whose lives she touched. John S. Decker, Master Gardener 1831 N. Jansen Wichita KS 67212
My wife and I first met Dr. Bajaj in September of 1996. I had just been diagnosed with several heart problems including SVT. We were both scared and not sure of what was happening. Dr. Bajaj took the time to explain our situation and help us cope with all the stress and medical problems. Kept alive with three defibulators and an ablation over nine years, I was lucky to receive a heart transplant in 2004. Now we are living a somewhat normal life. If it wasnt for Dr. Bajaj, I probably wouldnt be alive today. Thank you Dr. Bajaj and God bless you, your wife and your family. You will be missed by all who loved you. Tony and Janet Scuka
To the Bajaj family, My husband and I live in rural Valley Center. In 2002, my husband had me call an ambulance, as he was having chest pains. His heart stopped on the ambulance ride, but the attendents were able to start it again. Dr. Farhat is my husbands doctor, but he was out of town, so Dr. Bajaj took over. He had my husband in surgery for at least an hour, and saved his life. We are so greatful to him and wanted you to know how much we thought of him. Mr. and Mrs. Duane Sanders
I was so saddened to hear of the untimely death of Dr. Bajaj & his wife, as an RN in Wesley’s CCU for more than a dozen years while Dr. Bajaj was there. All of us were impressed by his quiet, caring professionalism, his attention to excellence, & his respect for all those involved in the patient’s care. One ongoing occurrence that stands out in my mind, and always made me smile, was how Dr. Bajaj & his brother would greet each other, something like ‘Good morning, Dr. Bajaj’, & the reply ‘Good morning. How are you, Dr. Bajaj?’ An outward sign of their constant professionalism in the clinical area, but underneath the private brotherly relationship. There is no doubt in my mind that I would have been very confident in having either of them as my family’s cardiologist, had the need been there. I was privileged to be there when Dr. Bajaj first developed his ablation procedures, and few out of the profession realize how ground breaking that was, and how many people were saved & given back their normal lives. Little did I know that several years later my own niece, a teenage basketball player, would be one of those to benefit from Dr. Bajaj’s work. Thank you, Dr. Bajaj, for your life. Peace & good memories to your sons & extended families.
Dear Family members, I have a memory I would like to share about Ashok. When he worked at St. Joseph in the pathology lab and was a student at Southeast HS I was 18 years old, married with a child and worked on the switchboard. We talked on breaks etc… He also worked at Woolco in the small appliance dept. I frequently complained about going to the laundry mat to wash diapers every other day. One day Ashok told me he could get me a washer and dryer for $150. It was a fortune to me at the time but, I managed to get the money together and met him at Woolco and bought the washer and dryer at that great price. It lasted over 10 years. Every time I used the washer/dryer I thought of the wonderful man that saved me so much work with his thoughtfulness and kindness. I am now 49 years old still married with 2 beautiful children and an RN. I haven’t seen Ashok since he left St. Joseph to attend KU but, have always remembered him with respect and honor for his kind act as a young man. Please accept my sympathy for your great loss and the great loss to our community and country. Ashok was a great man and will be missed by many.
I was saddened to hear of the deaths of Dr. Bajaj and his wife. I met Dr. Bajaj in 2003 when I saw him for my heart arrhythmia. He performed an ablation, and my heart hasn’t raced since. I have had problems all my life with heart arrhythmias, and I consider what he did to me was a miracle. I am no longer on heart medication, and I can live my life knowing that my heart won’t race again. He was truly an amazing and kind doctor.
To Dr. Bajaj’s and Trish’s families, I died three times, on February 4, 1991. (I saw the ‘light’). Dr. Bajaj was my doctor and helped to bring me back. I would not be here ir it weren’t for him. I had the pleasure of getting to know Trish while she was becoming ‘master gardener’ through the Extension Office. We had many wonderful talks during that time. I considered both Ashok and Trish to be my friends. They will be misssed.
We remember Trish growing up across the block from us. We send our sympathy to the entire family. What a shame that two very special people are gone so young.
A couple of years ago, my Doctor, Kim Hartwell referred me to Dr. Bajaj for a stress test. I was so surprised when he stayed in the room the entire time and talked with me. I think he knew I was nervous as I was just in my late 30’s. He was so very nice and caring. I know my Doctor thougth alot of him and would not have wanted me to see anyone but Dr. Bajaj. Thankfully everything was fine with me so I did not have to go back to his office but I always remembered how nice he was! May God’s blessings be with you all during this difficult time.
We would like to express our sorrow over the loss of Dr and Mrs. Bajaj. Our father, J. Gilleran Kendrick M.D. was a friend and patient of Dr. Bajaj’s. He thought very highly of Dr. Bajaj as a physician and as a person. What a great loss, our hearts go out to the families. Betsey Lippert Skip Kendrick and Nancy Swafford
There are so many memories. The bits & pieces of Trish’s life are floating around in my head. Mostly silly stuff we did when we were young. Just things that defined who she was. She loved her Nash Metropolitan car, back in high school. One day when we were coming back from lunch, she careened around the corner in front of West High and the door on my side flew open and she grabbed me to keep me from falling out. Then there’s the picture I have of her with her Honda coupe. We drove to the park and I had her stand in front of the car, of which she was so proud, so I could take her picture. Her feet were burning on the asphalt, but she kept smiling. Now looking at the picture, I see her toes were raised up off the pavement. So many little things she was a part of in my life. Like on my sixteenth birthday, she and Elaine made me a cake that looked like a house with a sloped roof, and brought it over. Then one night when we were doing the weekend ritual of going to Pizza Hut to buy garlic bread, (that’s all we could afford) a big Ford LTD turned left in front of the Honda. Many years later my kids got tired of me telling the story every time I drove them through the intersection of Seneca and McLean. But the wreck that night was one of Trish’s and my big adventures. My kids all knew Trish because she always invited us over to spend the day with her and the boys. She always had things planned out to do with them and she always made them a good ‘kid’ lunch. They loved it when we went over there. After my first husband and I split up, she always showed up every Christmas with a basket of food and gifts for the kids, because she knew we didn’t have much. Later on when I worked at Borders, she came by the store and took me out to lunch every year on my birthday. She never forgot it. Last year Trish, Elaine and I turned 50. Trish suggested that she and I travel up to Illinois to see Elaine and celebrate our 50th year, but regretfully, I never got back with her on that. I’m so glad that she and Ashok had each other and their fine sons. I will always miss her. She was the best of friends.
Margaret, Kathy, Karen & Colleen, I have already sent my tribute to the Wichita Eagle. I hope you will read it and laugh. Colleen might have a few corrections to the details. My Mom & Dad are so good to keep me informed about St. Joe friends. I wish I could say that Patti & I kept in touch. I did call her after Dennis passed away. I saw Kathy at the St. Joe reunion a few years past. Isn’t it a shame that we concentrate on raising our families & plan to reunite with friends when our children are grown & then tragedy strikes & we never get the chance to fulfill that wish? I have never met their children but I’m sure they are a mirror image of their amazing parents. My deepest sympathy on your loss.
Kevin and Brian, Turner and Bajaj families: We are so sorry for your loss. Kevin was on my husbands ‘Lazers’ soccer team and ‘Blazers’ basketball team when he was younger. We have great memories of your family’s generosity and watching Kevin play basketball, soccer, and water ski. Ashok and Trish were the most gracious and caring couple weve ever met. Ashok even taught our son, Cody, to water ski at their lake. In 1999, when Cody was diagnosed with WPW, Ashok & Trish had us over to the house to explain the procedure and to relieve our fears. Ashok did the ablation surgery and took great care of him. We were privileged to have known Ashok and Trish, and we will be forever thankful to Ashok for repairing Codys heart defect. Last May at Kevins graduation reception, Cody was telling Trish about his long distance training for the 400IM hurdle race and Trish invited Cody to come over and run with her. Kevin and Brian, your parents were the best. —- Beverly, Steve & Cody Fitch
My heart is very heavy knowing that you’ve lost your beloved son and his wife. I am truly sorry that this great man and his wonderful wife have left us long before it was time. My condolences to all of Ashok and Trish’s families. A patient of Dr. Ashok.
I worked with Ashok from 1990-1992 in the EP Lab. What impressed me was his ability to handle multiple situations at once and have everything under control. He always had a sense of humor and was very kind and considerate to myself and patients. He was a brilliant man and so good at what he did. He had the ability to relate to each patient at their level and make them feel comfortable. He will leave a huge hole in the medical community. I was a nurse in the EP Lab in the early years when ablations could take up to 12 hours. He was very perserverant and never gave up. He was determined in all he did. Never would I have imagined that my husband would be a patient of his receiving a defibrillator in July of 2004. I never worried a bit under his care. I knew he was in good hands and looked forward to Ashok being his doctor for many years to come. He is sorely missed by his patients, their families, as well as his family and peers.
Dear Bajaj family, The Meyer family sends its condolences to your family about the tragic and untimely deaths of Ashok and Trish. We had the privilege of working with Ashok, Ravi, Arvind, and Ajay in Troop 542 with our sons John, Mark, and Jim. If fact Ashok, Ravi, Mark and Jim received their Eagle Scout ranks together. Ashok and Ravi were special to me probably because they chose medicine as their profession. I was a member of the admission committee when they applied to medical school and although I couldn’t examine them, since I knew them, I was pleased when the full committee met to go over each candidate because their names met no opposition to their acceptance. As chairman of the Medical Society of Sedgwick County Medical Careers Loan Fund I was glad that we could assist them in helping with tuition payments. The fund was set up to hopefully encourage recipients to return to Kansas to practice and it was heartening to see them come back to Wichita and establish their practice after they completed their training. While my time of practice was cut short and I didn’t have the pleasure of working with them, as I had hoped, my atrial fib in December of 1989 made Ashok my doctor. He was a gracious, competent, caring physician and I felt extremely fortunate to have him as my physician and he was the type of doctor I knew he and Ravi would be and Ravi remains. Ashok was always ‘looking after’ me in a way that made me feel that I was the only patient he had. We enjoyed reminiscing about the ‘scouting days’. Although Dot and I didn’t meet Trish but once, our sorrow joins with both of your families at this great loss. Ashok will always remain with me as the type of physician I wish all the new doctors could and would be. Again our deepest sympathy for the loss of Ashok and Trish.
I was a patient of Dr. Bajaj and was diagnosed with WPW when I was a child. I had been on medication until my family physician recommended seeing Dr. Bajaj to see about a radio ablation. I found him to be s very caring person and an excellent communicator. He went to great lengths to thoroughly explain what was going on in my heart and how he was going to treat the problem. He did an excellent job with the treatment and I have never had a problem with the WPW since it was done 6 years ago. I will miss his compassionate nature as a person and his excellent abilities as a physician. My condolances to the family.
Brian & Kevin, I am an electrophysiologist in Boulder, CO. My wife Peggy and I have had the honor of knowing Ashok and Trish. I first met Ashok when he came to Oklahoma to attend an ablation course while I was on faculty there. They flew into Boulder twice last year and we had lunch together – once at the Dushanbe Tea House and once at the Leaf Restaurant. We had long conversations. Ashok provided me with an elder-brother take on medical practices and I turned to him for advise often at different stages in my career. I was doing a web search on him today to try and find his office number since I had lost his contact information since we last met in fall 2007. That is when I saw the tributes to him and was shocked beyond belief. Brian & Kevin – I have never met either of you but Ashok & Trish talked about you a lot and were very proud of you. While we met Ashok & Trish only 2-3 times in our lifetime they left memories that will never be forgotten. We miss them.
In 1996 (approx) I gave Trish Bajaj a proposal for new heating & AC systems for their home. Several days later, at 8:45 pm on a Thursday evening I received a phone call at home from someone that sounded like a telemarketer. I finally heard the word ‘furnace’ and slowed the caller down enough to learn that it was Ashok Bajaj. He had a few questions and wanted to meet the next day to sign a contract. I told him I was committed to take my church youth group water skiing. He asked me to come by his house the next morning before I went to the lake. I said I would, but I would be pulling a boat and wearing my swimsuit. We met at 7:00am, signed the paperwork, then talked boats and waterskiing (I was also a member of the water ski club). A year later, I called their house to thank them for a referral and Trish said Ashok and Brian wanted to join the water ski club. Brian and I (and sometimes Ashok) skied together many times over the next few years. When ‘Spray Lake’ developed into a ski/home addition I encouraged them to consider building a home their. They did – and bought a new boat. When Brian’s skiing level required a tournament ‘approved’ boat, they bought another boat. I remember telling Trish, ‘you didn’t realize how much that furnace was going to end up costing you…’. The Bajaj family lived at Spray Lake when the millennium occurred. Brian ‘tricked’ several of us into water skiing at midnight on 1/1/2000. A few minutes before midnight, we all wanted to ski, and needed someone to drive the boat. Ashok volunteered to forfeit his opportunity to ski at midnight and offered to drive. This was just one of the fun times we had with Ashok & Trish and it was an example of Ashok’s willingness to help & serve other people. We love Ashok, Trish, Brian and Kevin. We’ll expect great things from both of you – Brian and Kevin. Rod & Laiketa Brown
My teenage daughter Natalie was a patient of Dr. Bajaj. After seeing him last month for her yearly check-up we both left his office talking about what a wonderful man he was. He talked to her not only about her medical condition but her personal interests as well and he made her feel so comfortable. We will miss him and we both feel so very fortunate to have known him. Our hearts go out to his family for the loss of these 2 very special people.
To the Bajaj Family: I had the extreme pleasure of knowing most of your family for several years and of being Ashoks patient for the past 18 or more years. He was a most kind and extemely competent doctor and will be missed by all of his patients. He never failed to tell all of his assistants that I was his 8th and 9th grade math teacher and they always wanted to know what he was like as a youngster. I enjoyed visting with him about all of his brothers and sisters and his Father on each visit to his office. I did not have the pleasure of knowing Trish, but am sure that she was as kind and as thoughtful as Ashok. Please accept my prayerful condolences and best wishes at this very sad time.
Dear Margaret & Family As Patty’s exdaughter in law, I want to extend to you my deepest sympathy. Peggy Taylor(Breth) Dr Ravi & Family I have worked with you both at Wesley ER as well as Dr Ashok saw my husband after heart surgery 5 years ago for Dr Bond. What a great man. Very supportive and kind when needed. What a true loss the Medical field is feeling. Peggy Taylor Wesley ED Unit clerk
Ashok wasn’t always a big-time hero-doctor. When he hung out with Tony, Wayne and I, we were just a quartet of college-aged buddies, working in a department store (and one of us in a grocery), and getting into mischief together, cruising Douglas on weekends (Ashok had a cool, white, fastback Chevy Nova with fancy trim, though we usually rode Tony’s big, roomy Cutlass Supreme). Ashok brought extra curiosity and energy to our gang. Ashok was as regular a guy as you could know — except there was always this slight edge of impatience, strong ambition, a restless determination to make more of himself than that. Already the top salesman in his department, and actually working towards college, he was showing us that there’s more to be done with young life than just goofing off. And then there was Trish. We just stood back in awe at his most important success, before he moved on to a career and more. Glad he succeeded. We should all be so ambitious, constructive and fortunate. For their sons, Brian and Kevin, I feel great sorrow and frustration. From bitter experience, I know what it’s like to suddenly lose your family at such an age. Guys, don’t expect your friends will really understand what you’re going through, but try to explain it to them, and make them listen. Realize that they will be limited in their understanding, for a long, long time — but can still be true friends. Know, too, that some people who have not suffered your loss will be anxious to avoid talking or thinking about it, because it’s too frightening to them, or too strange. If you are up to it, make new friends, too. Friends are the family you make for yourself. That’s what, in essence, your dad was for me, for a precious short time, before he went away to college and his remarkable future. He would want no less for you. With warm wishes and deep sympathy, and confident hope for better days for you all.