KANCHAN L. LODHIA, MD
December 19, 1935 – March 29, 2025
Kanchan went to be with the Lord on March 29th. He was born in Nadi, Fiji Islands on December 17th, 1935. He came to the United States at 19 years old and proudly joined the United States Air Force as an aircraft mechanic. He attended college in California and then medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He was a physician who practiced anesthesiology 43 yrs in both Council Bluffs, Iowa and Lawton, Oklahoma. He also served his country in the US Army reserves as a Lt. Colonel. He touched many lives, sponsoring many relatives and friends to come to this country that he loved, who are now proud Americans.
He was extremely generous in life and always helped those in need. He enjoyed his family, his many lifelong friendships, and his love of gardening and cooking.
He was preceded in life by the passing of his wife Carolyn (Roelfs). He is survived by his son Keith (Heidi}, daughter Karen, grandchildren Megan Nachreiner, Katherine Tirado, Tom Lodhia and three great grandchildren: Ellie, Jacob, and Anna (Nachreiner)- all of Omaha, Nebraska.
Memorial service: Thursday, April 3rd, 5:30pm at Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler West Center Chapel.
To view a live broadcast of the Memorial Service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and press the “View Live Cast” button on the top of the home page.
In lieu of flowers, please direct any donations to the Salvation Army Church.
Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com
Kanchan Lal Lodhia passed away March 29, 2025, at the age of 89. He was born in Nadi, Fiji Islands on December 17, 1935.
Kanchan was preceded in death by his mother and father, Naranji Jairaj Lodhia and Diwari Ben Lodhia; his wife of 45 years, Carolyn Lodhia; his older sister,
Jadi Ben Raniga (wife of the late Balabhai Raniga), his older brother, Ratilal Lodhia (husband of the late Kasi Ben Lodhia); and younger sister, Savita Ben Dharamsi (wife of the late Harilal Dharamsi).
He is survived by younger brother, Kuman Lodhia (husband of Shanti Ben Lodhia); Younger sister Mukta Ben Bagia (wife of Popatlal Bagia), younger brother Dr Anant Lodhia (husband of Lynn Lodhia), and younger sister Nalini Anderson (wife of Terry Anderson). He leaves behind his daughter, Karen Lodhia; and son, Dr. Keith Lodhia, daughter-in-law Heidi, grandson Tom Lodhia, granddaughters Megan Nachreiner (Michael) and Dr Katherine Tirado (Adam), great granddaughters Ellie and Anna Nachreiner and great grandson Jacob Nachreiner.
Kanchan, after the exposure as a young boy to American World War II marines and airmen in Fiji, had a dream for a better life he believed America could provide. He came to this country in February 1955 and lived in San Francisco, California. He joined the Air Force and was stationed in the Philippines as an aircraft mechanic. He attended Oakland City College and the University of California, Berkeley before moving to Nebraska to attend medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He married Carolyn Roelfs on December 14, 1968. He graduated with his MD degree in 1969. From there, he did an internship in San Francisco, followed by an anesthesia residency at the University of Nebraska. Dr. Lodhia practiced anesthesiology in Council Bluffs, Iowa (July 1972 – March 1993) and in Lawton, Oklahoma (September 1993 until his retirement in 2013). During his career, he remained an active member in the United States Army reserves, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He was proud to serve his country.
He was a great ambassador to the medical profession and was inspirational and influential in getting his younger brother, Dr Anant Lodhia (internal medicine), son Keith Lodhia (neurosurgeon), and granddaughter Dr Katie Lodhia (internal
medicine) to follow in his footsteps: all of whom graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine.
Kanchan was an exceptional gardener with a passion for growing vegetables and flowers. He always grew extras to share amongst friends and neighbors. He loved entertaining as well as travel, both of which he did his entire life. He enjoyed cooking- especially his famous chicken curry.
Kanchan had faith in God and a love of his entire extended family. He was extremely generous and a dedicated philanthropist, always helping those in need. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
19 Comments
Deepest sympathy to the family. Om Shanti 🙏
Deepest condolences to the family🙏
Kanchan was a very special person, he will be missed and in our prayers. We are very appreciative for what he and his family have done for us.
Affectionately called “Kanchan Mama” by all his sisters’ children (in Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, and USA)
Affectionately known as “Kanchan mama ” by his sisters’ children , he was a towering figure we all grew up looking up to. Kanchan mama leaves behind his legacy of charity , helping those in need and being always available. Great sense of humour and loved a nice Australian (Barossa valley) red wine when visited us.
He will be missed by us all . God bless his soul .
Om Shanti Om
Kanchan was such a great friend. His loss leaves a void in our hearts. Our prayers go out to his entire family.
Jai Sri Krishna
It’s with great sadness that we received the news of passing away of Kanchan Kaka.
Please accept heartfelt condolences – families of late Prabhudas Kalyanji Bhindi & Jaya Ben Bhindi, of Suva
Word “Kanchan” translates to “Gold/wealth, Pure, Transparent
Kanchan Kaka stood up to his name; he had a wealth of compassion, a heart of Gold, he was Pure & Transparent in his dealings, he was loved by one & all, his enemy is yet to be born.
We all are proud of his achievements.
our sincere heartfelt prayers for Kanchan Kaka’s eternal well being & that his soul safely continues his journey to spiritual world of Sri Sri Radha Krishna.
hare krsna hare krsna,
krsna krsna hare hare
hare rama hare rama,
rama rama hare hare
Jai Sri Radhey
Jai Sri Krishna Nalini Ben, Anant Bhai, core & extended families
It’s with great sadness that we received the news of passing away of Kanchan Kaka.
Please accept heartfelt condolences from the families of late Prabhudas Kalyanji Bhindi & Jaya Ben Bhindi, formally of Suva & later Sydney.
The word “Kanchan” translates to “Gold/wealth, Pure, Transparent…
Kanchan Kaka stood up to his name; he had a wealth of compassion, a heart of Gold, he was Pure & Transparent in his dealings, he was loved by one & all, his enemy is yet to be born.
We all are proud of his achievements.
Today, we all offer our sincere heartfelt prayers for Kanchan Kaka’s eternal well being & that his divine soul safely continues his journey to return to the spiritual world of Sri Sri Radha
hare krsna hare krsna,
krsna krsna hare hare
hare rama hare rama,
rama rama hare hare
Dr. Lodhia (Kanchan) was a wonderful man. My condolences to Keith, Anant, Katie and all of the family.
Deepest sympathy to the family.
Kanchan’s chicken curry at the DeChant home exposed me to flavors I had never experienced before and have craved for more than 30 years since. It was never exactly the same, but always so good.
I will remember him as a great storyteller and inspired chef…
My condolences to his family and good friends.
Kanchan you were such a joy to be around. And we always looked forward to your chicken curry and sitting around your dining table and visiting with you. You were always so kind and hospitable to invite us into your home. We will miss you!
Our deepest sympathy to your beautiful family.
Dan and Elaine
Hare Krishna. I am sorry to hear about Kanchan Bhai’s passing away. He was very compassionate with a generous heart. Praying for his eternal wellbeing. My heartfelt condolences to the entire family.
Hare Krishna. I am sorry to hear about Kanchan Bhai passing away. He was very compassionate with a heart of gold. Praying for his eternal wellbeing. My heartfelt condolences to the entire family.
There is nothing more heartbreaking than the death of a father, Kanchan Lodhia. We have lost a great human being. He was admired by many and loved by his children, grandchildren and his friends. Dear Lord, we ask you to come and be with us during this time of mourning. Give us the humility to realize that we are called not to be perfect as to be wise, not to be infallible, but to be honest. The most important qualities, however, are the three R’s: respect for self; respect for others; and responsibilities for your actions.
Dr. Kanchan Lodhia was born in the Fiji Islands, which is in the South Pacific near Tahiti. It is because of Dr. Lodhia that many of us are here in the United States of America. I, Dr. Jay Narayan, am forever grateful for all the support by Kanchan Lodhia.
Kanchan and I were both born in the Fiji Islands but did not know each other until 1970 when we met for the first time in Omaha, Nebraska. I started my first year of Internal Medicine Residency at the Creighton University School of Medicine in 1970 while Kanchan was a first year resident in Anesthesiology at the University of Nebraska School of Medicine. We have been close friends since then. The two families frequently socialized together on the weekends and our children got to know each other and played together. Kanchan then moved to Oklahoma and I moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We kept in close touch and visited each other periodically.
Kanchan was my best friend. He was a great doctor, very humble and fantastic personality, easy to get along with.
Rest in Peace, my friend. Will greatly miss you.
Michael S. Chandra, M.D.
We are deeply saddened at the passing of our very dearly beloved friend Kanchan Lodhia. Kanchan was a beautiful soul, with a big heart. We will miss him very much.
With our love to his family. Drs. Tim and Pamela Murari.
Our deepest sympathy to the entire family, may he rest in peace.
We send our deepest sympathy to all the family on your recent loss of your father. Our friendship goes back to the early years on Hillsdale Drive when Keith and Karen played with our children Rob and Anne. As our families both moved on and grew up, we had no contact. Until this past year when Keith performed a much needed back surgery on Jim. At that time, we got caught up on Kanchan. May you all be comforted in the memories of both of your parents/grandparents who were so special in your lives.
In sympathy,, Jim and Dailene
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