Surrounded by his family, Dr. Roodal “Rudy” Ramchandar passed away peacefully at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg on June 27, 2025, at the age of 81. He had lived a remarkable life.
Born in Spring Vale, Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) on December 9, 1943, Rudy was the eldest of six children. Growing up he attended Presbyterian and Catholic mission schools and then Queen’s Royal College in Port of Spain. At 19, with an Island Scholarship and courage in his pocket, he left T&T for Winnipeg where he would attend United College (later University of Winnipeg).
As fate would have it, there he would meet Janet, “a beautiful, poised young lady…with a wholesome smile”, whom he would later marry. In 1971, after completing his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Manitoba, he and Janet moved to Kenora, ostensibly as a first stop in his career. They fell in love with the town where Rudy would be an active member of the community for four decades.
He loved being a classic “old country doctor” which allowed him to practice family medicine, emergency medicine, obstetrics, anaesthesia and perform minor surgeries throughout his career. He and Janet raised four children and Rudy always found time to attend their recitals, competitions and events. Tragically, Janet suddenly passed away in September of 1997.
Rudy had many interests throughout his life. In his younger years he enjoyed cricket and was an avid soccer player. As a new Canadian, he was an inspiration, teaching himself to ice skate, cross-country ski, and then, in his 40s, learning to downhill ski. He enjoyed boating, cycling and had a keen interest in travelling and seeing the world, particularly in his retirement. Throughout his life he was very active in the church - Knox United Church in Kenora and later, the United Church in Meadowood in Winnipeg.
Rudy was thankful when he found Audrey, an operating room nurse with whom he had been professionally acquainted throughout their careers at Lake of the Woods District Hospital. In 1999, Rudy and Audrey were married at Knox United Church in Kenora. After retirement in 2011, they moved to Winnipeg to begin a new chapter in their lives.
Throughout their 26 years of marriage, they enjoyed attending the theatre, spending time at their summer home on Lake of the Woods and travelling to a variety of countries around the globe. Rudy loved giving boat tours of Lake of the Woods in his vintage blue boat, sharing his extensive historical knowledge of the area. Boat rides with Grandpa were the highlight of the summer for all of his grandchildren.
Rudy was devoted to lifelong learning and was an avid reader about a wide range of subjects. He researched each of his many trips, educating himself about the geography and history of India, China, Egypt, the Holy Land, many parts of Europe, and the Panama Canal. He attended the Reh-Fit Centre regularly for many years where he enjoyed chatting with staff and friends.
How will we remember our dad, husband, brother, grandfather and friend? Kind and hardworking are the first words that come to mind. He always had advice and a helping hand for anyone who needed it, and he had an adventurous spirit, always willing to try out something new with his family.
Rudy was predeceased by his first wife, Janet; his youngest son, Keith; mother, Margaret; father, Mawah, and two brothers, Ruben and Ramish.
Rudy will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Audrey; children: Lorraine (Andy) and her children, Luke and Drew; Lorna (Sean) and their children, Roisin and Maeve; and Kevin (Kristi) and their daughter Kailyn; stepdaughter Laura and her children, Tuesday and Axel; stepson Randall; his siblings, Ralph (Pat), Tara (Kris) and Krishna (Rita); many nieces and nephews and his beloved dogs, Bambi and Bella.
Rudy’s family would like to express their gratitude to the Health Sciences Centre, Dr. Alexi King and the staff on the GH6 Respiratory Ward for the exceptional care Rudy received during his illness. We are also very grateful to Dr. Casey Woo who gave Rudy excellent and dedicated care for many years.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or Diabetes Canada would be appreciated.