Dr. Gurdev Purewal, age 82, Died June 7

WEIRTON — A longtime area doctor is being remembered for the many ways he served the community.

Dr. Gurdev Purewal, who had been an orthopedic surgeon in the area for more than 40 years, died June 7 at the age of 82.

Born in Kalewal in Hoshiarpur, a small village in northern India, he was the youngest of five children.

Purewal attended a local school until the fifth grade, then was accepted to the Lawrence School Sanawar before doing his pre-med studies at the University of Allahabad. He spent a year at St. Xavier’s College in Ranchi before going to medical school at Government College Medical School at Amritsar, India.

He worked for several years as a lecturer in orthopedic surgery, and trained for three years at the Royal Orthopedic Hospital in Birmingham, England, before returning to India and being promoted to assistant professor at his medical school and then moving to the United States in 1975, along with his wife, Surinderit, and their three children.

Purewal did a two-year residency at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pa., then moved to Weirton in 1977.

“Since joining the Weirton Medical Center staff in 1977, Purewal embraced his role as a physician, civic leader and friend to the entire community,” said John Frankovitch, president and CEO of Weirton Medical Center. “He was a complete professional in every aspect of his medical practice as well as in his personal life, serving as a role model to others. His gentle, friendly demeanor matched with exceptional medical ability was truly a gift to WMC and our patients for over 40 years. Purewal had the unique ability to make us smile in difficult times but challenge us to find our ‘better angels’ in our daily lives. On behalf of the entire WMC Family, it would be understatement to say he will be missed but his spirit will live on through the impact he had on our entire community.”

In addition to his medical practice, Purewal was past president of the WMC medical-dental staff and a past member of the WMC Board of Trustees.

Dr. Cherian John noted he had known Purewal since 1986.

“He had great care and compassion, not only for his patients, but also for the other members of the staff,” he said.

John recalled a difficult time of his own a few years ago, noting Purewal often would come to him with advice and encouragement to get him through.

“He’ll be very sorely missed,” John said. “He was a wonderful man.”

Purewal was active in the Weirton community, as well, lending his time to organizations such as the Weirton Rotary Club, where he was past president. It was through that work for the community, Purewal was inducted as a member of the Weirton Hall of Fame in 2018.

“As a fellow Rotarian, I have known Purewal for his kindness and generosity to many charitable organizations,” explained George Kondik. “That is what inspired me to nominate him for induction into the Weirton Hall of Fame in the category of philanthropy. He will be greatly missed by the community.”

John Newbrough, also a member of the Rotary club, recalled Purewal’s selflessness and willingness to support the club’s activities, especially when it came to area youth.

“Purewal was an outstanding Rotarian,” said Newbrough. “He was always generous when we had fundraisers and really believed in our Rotary Scholarship program, he really wanted to help the youth fulfill their potential. He loved to golf and I saw him many days with his golfing buddies at Williams Golf and Country Club enjoying the competition and the outdoors. He was always pleasant to talk to and wanted the best for Weirton. He also was a very good doctor and treated people with kindness and quality efforts. I will miss him and I know my fellow Rotarians will also mourn his absence.”

During his 2018 induction into the Weirton Hall of Fame, Purewal explained he often told his staff not to bill patients who couldn’t afford medical services saying he “didn’t want to make money off people who couldn’t make a living.”

“The Weirton community has been so good to me, and it is a wonderful place to raise a family,” he said.

Purewal also had a background in athletics. During his college years, he was awarded college colors in basketball, soccer, field hockey and water polo, and received a silver medal in rifle shooting. He was a licensed pilot and enjoyed golfing, gardening and photography.

In addition to his wife, Purewal is survived by his sons Amandeep and Navdeep, and their wives, daughter Preena and her husband, and several grandchildren.

Read the obituary online.