Ambadas Diggikar

Dr. Ambadas Diggikar, 82, passed away suddenly on February 7th, 2021.

Born in Kamareddy, Nizamabad District (Telangana, India), Dr. Diggikar is the son of Sridhar Rao and Sita Bai Diggikar. He is the third born of five sons and one daughter. He was influenced by many cultures as he grew up during the post-Indian independence era of the Nizam state. He fluently spoke and wrote at least five languages, including Telugu, Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, and English. Dr. Diggikar was also a life-long learner in the medical field. In 1963, he received his M.B.B.S from Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad. He went on to obtain a master’s degree in general surgery and completed residency and fellowship at Goldwater Memorial Hospital in New York City.

Dr. Diggikar spent his professional life trailblazing novel procedures in cardiothoracic surgery. In 1980, he was one of the first to be selected for a course in cardiothoracic surgery at Osmania Medical College. He established a new department of cardiothoracic surgery in Warangal and was a part of training the next generation of innovating physicians. As a renowned and accomplished cardiothoracic surgeon, he set an example for how to live life to the fullest, continuously dedicating himself to his family and Indian community. Dr. Diggikar touched and inspired hundreds of lives and cured the ailments of thousands with his healing hands.

Dr. Ambadas Diggikar was a disciplined man and loving husband. A dedicated parent to three kids, he served as a father-figure to all extended family and was an energetic grandfather to his many grandchildren. He was a supportive friend and enjoyed staying in touch with all his old friends from his early childhood, medical school, and long professional life. He always went out of his way to help others around him.

He is survived by his three children, Archana (m. Mahesh Kudrimoti, Lexington, KY), Anand (m. Pushpa Diggikar, Lexington, KY), and Amit (m. Deepthi Diggikar, Irving, TX); his grandchildren, Meghana, Avneesh, Poojitha, Nanditha, Anika and Pratika; and a host of loving friends and family both here in the United States and back in India.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dr. Pramila Diggikar, who passed away in June 2020. We are comforted to know that he has joined his soulmate in Heaven, his wife of 53 years. They were inseparable in life and now in death.

In lieu of flowers, we request you to donate to Sankara Eye Foundation, an organization dear to Dr. Diggikar. Please make your donations here.