Obituary of Harry K. Panjwani, M.D., PhD.

Harry K. Panjwani (nee Harjus Kumar Panjwani), M.D., Ph.D. passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Villa Marie Claire on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at the age of 90. Born in Sukur, India and educated in India and England, he has resided in Wyckoff since 1968. Harry was a surgeon at University Hospital (London) and Royal Liverpool Hospital before serving as a captain in the Royal British Navy during the Korean War. Harry then moved to the United States and did various neuro-psychiatry residencies through Yale University, Syracuse University and Columbia University. Following his residencies, Harry was director of Medical Research and Development for Johnson & Johnson’s India branch before accepting a fellowship at McGill University. Harry then returned to research and development work for A.H. Robbins (respiratory products) and Merck (Parkinson’s Disease) before opening a holistic private neuro-psychiatry practice in Ridgewood in 1971. Harry’s practice focused on family and social psychiatry, multiple addictions, nutrition and behavioral sciences and was active until 2000. In addition to his practice, Harry was a research and visiting physician at Rockefeller University, visiting psychiatric physician at Memorial Sloane Kettering, Kessler Rehabilitation Center and several drug rehabilitation centers; and was a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps. Harry also advocated for disability rights and was named by Governor Kean to sit on the Presidential Task Force on Employment of the Handicapped – the Task Force was honored by the White House. Following his retirement, Harry published, was an adjunct professor and consultant to medical centers, health product companies and non-profit organizations. Harry’s active memberships included Royal Society of Medicine, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, National Council on Alcoholism (Advisory Board), Retired Military Officers Association, Bergen County Medical Society (Public Health and Medical Education committees), Wyckoff Drug Abuse Council (past president), Rotary Club of Ridgewood (past president, Gift of Life committee), National Press Club, Project Literacy (Board) and Gideon’s International. Harry was dedicated to the betterment of humanity and worked hard, read avidly and traveled widely to that end. Closest to his heart were his Christian faith and family. Harry was beloved to his family and is survived by his cherished wife of 54 years Nancy Joy Panjwani; two daughters Andrea D. Panjwani, her husband Daniel Barkley; Roberta L. Panjwani; two sons: David A. Panjwani, his wife Shannon; Mark C. Panjwani, his wife Rebecca; eight grandchildren: Alyssa, Jacob, Savannah, Olivia, Harrison, Lily, Tatum, Cali; and his devoted cat Hufflepuff. A Memorial Service for Harry will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at All Souls Community Church, 81 Washington Ave., Suffern, NY. The family is ever grateful for the excellent care by Harry’s physicians. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Harry’s memory may be made to All Souls Community Church, https://allsouls.churchcenter.com/giving, 81 Washington Avenue, Suffern, NY 10901; or to the Gift of Life, https://www.giftoflife.org/contrib, P.O. Box 650436, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365. Arrangements are by Vander Plaat Funeral Home, (vpfh.com), Wyckoff.