Tejinder Bal

CANFIELD - Tejinder Singh Bal peacefully completed his earthly journey surrounded by family on December 5, 2024.

He was born the oldest of four children to S. Gian Singh and Sdni. Gurdeep Kaur in the village Bal Kalan, Punjab, India in 1943. His paternal grandmother, Kartar Kaur, was a formative influence in his development until she passed away when he was in 9th grade. He attended Sant Singh Sukha Singh High School in Amritsar, Punjab, India, before continuing his studies at DAV College, and then Government Medical College, Amritsar.

In December 1969, Tejinder married Surjit Kaur Dhillon before they immigrated to the United States in 1970. He then completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, followed by a fellowship in Pulmonary Diseases at Temple University in Philadelphia. In 1977, he was recruited to St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center (now MercyHealth) in Youngstown, OH, to lead the Intensive Care Unit and Pulmonary Diseases Department. He is remembered by his patients and colleagues for his kindness, compassion, and his quest for excellence. In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Bal served Mahoning County as the Tuberculosis controller in the 1970s and 1980s.

In 1978, Tejinder and Surjit moved to Canfield, OH, where they raised 3 sons. Together, they sponsored an entire generation of their siblings and their families to immigrate to the United States, facilitating opportunities to pursue better lives. Their charitable spirit was further demonstrated by their long-time support of multiple organizations, including the United Way of Greater Youngstown, the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, and various civil rights organizations across the country. Both were trusted members of the sangat/congregation of the Tri-State Sikh Cultural Society in Pittsburgh, PA, where Tejinder served as a member of the Board of Trustees for over 45 years, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at a critical time during the construction of the Pittsburgh Gurdwara (Sikh house of worship) in the mid-1980s.

Dr. Bal believed strongly in the power of education to transform people's lives. In 1978, he became the founding Medical Director of the area's first Respiratory Therapy program, at Youngstown State University, and held this position for nearly 40 years, helping educate several hundreds of respiratory therapists who went on to serve their communities in the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys, Northeastern Ohio, and beyond. On a personal level, he emphasized the importance of knowing one's roots, and dedicated decades of his life to educating young Sikh children about their language, heritage, and faith.

After retiring from his Pulmonary/Critical Care medical practice, Tejinder served the most vulnerable in his community as a volunteer at local free medical clinics, a spiritual guide at a local federal prison, and as an Addiction Medicine physician; he eventually retired from active practice in 2019. He was a prolific blood donor, donating over 100 pints of blood to blood banks in Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.

A dedicated husband and father, Tejinder is survived by his beloved wife, Surjit, and his three sons: Rupinder (Gurjit), Jugdeep (Sumeet), and Anoopdeep. In addition, he is survived by his 4 grandchildren who always brought a smile to his face: Jujhar Singh, Bhajleen Kaur, Hargobind Singh and Sehaj Kaur. He is also survived by his brother, Jagdish Bal, and his sister, Ravinder Dhillon, as well as by numerous loving cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and their families. He served as a trusted source of inspiration and support to hundreds of people who sought his guidance. He was predeceased by his parents Gian Singh and Gurdeep Kaur, and sister Daljeet Rao. His wisdom, kindness, wit and generosity will continue to live on through the countless lives he touched.

Funeral services are private. The family will receive friends on Friday, December 13 from 5-7pm at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman- Canfield Chapel (3701 Starr Centre Drive, Canfield). Bhog and Antim Ardas - a memorial service in the Sikh tradition - will be held at Gurudwara Sahib Youngstown (1726 Canfield Road, Youngstown) starting at 10:30am on Saturday, December 14.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Tejinder S Bal MD Respiratory Care Scholarship at Youngstown State University, or to Gurudwara Sahib Youngstown