Obituary ~ NIRMAL SINGH RIHAL, Former Chief Epidemiologist Province of Manitoba, pa ~ R.I.P.

It is with sadness that we announce the death of our respected husband, father and grandfather, Dr Nirmal Singh Rihal on August 5, 2011 at Selkirk General Hospital, Selkirk, Manitoba after a protracted struggle with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Nirmal was born in 1929 in Hoshiarpur District, India to Sardar Banta Singh and S. Naranjan Kaur as one of nine siblings. While his family moved to British East Africa, he stayed behind and was raised by his loving grandparents, whom he mentioned frequently. His early life was spent studying in Gardiwal following which he joined his family in Kenya. Nirmal was recipient of a Government scholarship to study medicine in Glasgow, Scotland which he started in 1949 and graduated from in 1955. Following graduation he practiced in Aberdeen and the northern midlands, and eventually returned to Kenya. In 1963 he undertook a Diploma in Public Health at the University of Toronto and relocated his family to Manitoba, first Birtle and then Selkirk, where he settled permanently. He worked as Medical Officer of Health for the Western Manitoba and Interlake regions before retiring in 1991 as Chief Epidemiologist for the Province of Manitoba.

Nirmal was a loving husband and father who always put his family's interests ahead of his own. He loved his four grandchildren dearly. He was one of the original Sikh immigrants to Manitoba, which he loved dearly. He was a well-known and respected figure in the community and advocated for the rights of Sikhs to follow their religious practices. Partly as a result of his efforts Manitoba became the first jurisdiction in North America where Sikhs could legally wear turbans rather than helmets while riding motorcycles and bicycles.

Nirmal had a love of current events and followed the news closely. He was always prepared to discuss the latest political, economic and international affairs. He was an avid reader and read newspapers and magazines from across the globe, including the Sikh Review, Spokesman Weekly, and the Winnipeg Free Press. He listened to the BBC his entire life whether in India, Africa, the UK, or Canada. He particularly loved As It Happens on CBC radio and listening to Peter Warren on CJOB. He enjoyed both Shabad Kirtan and traditional Punjabi folk songs.

Nirmal was predeceased by his parents, elder brother Ram Bhajan, elder sisters Rattan Kaur and Mahn Kaur, all of the UK and by younger brothers Sukdev and Baldip of Kenya.

He is survived by his loving wife Gian, whom he married in 1959, children Charanjit (Hardeep), Kiranjit and Amarjit (Leanna), grandchildren Naveen, Munveer, Tripat and Isha, Sister-in-law Kamaljeet (Mohan, d. 1978), nieces Dalvinder and Parminder. He left behind many relatives including his brother Sital (Harbans) of Winnipeg, sister Jagdeesh (Swaran d. 2007) of Leeds, sister Jasbir (Rajpal) of Nairobi, and others in the UK and Kenya. He was especially close to nephew Jujhar (Hardial) of UK and many dear friends in Manitoba including Dr Kanwaljit and Tripat Jolly and family, Mr Mohinder and Sarabjit Singh and family. Nirmal lived the unique life of a pioneer that spanned four continents and nine decades and touched the lives of many. He will be missed. Funeral services will be held at 2pm, on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at Thompson in the Park Funeral Home, 1291 McGillvray Blvd, Winnipeg , followed by prayers at the Sikh Temple Sri Gurdwara Singh Sabha, of which he was a founding member, at 4000 Sturgeon Road, Winnipeg.

THOMSON "IN THE PARK"
925-1120
Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com