Dr. Ashok G. Kumar

Dr. Ashok G. Kumar, M.D., passed away peacefully at the Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield, Ohio on May 26.  He was born on October 24, 1938 in Kerala, India, the son of the late Damodaran Gopinath and Rema Bai Gopinath.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ruthie (Hermiz) Kumar, his loving children: Peter Kumar (Renee), Kiesha Ferrari (Larry), Michelle Perez (Ami) and Asha Gregory (Adam). Dearest grandchildren: Adam Kumar (Taylor), Samuel Kumar (Tricia), Benjamin Kumar, Brendan Malloy, Leat Perez, Solomon Kumar Perez, Noah Kumar Perez and great granddaughter, Chloe Kumar. Brothers Gopinath Radhakrishnan and Mohan Gopinath and sister Ambika Gopinath (deceased).

Dr. Kumar graduated from Trivandum Medical College, Kerala University, India in 1962.  Upon graduation he embarked on his lifelong dream of moving to the United States of America earning an internship at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City, NY.  It was there that he met the love of his life, Ruthie, and they were happily married on August 5, 1964, a marriage that has lasted for almost 60 years. From 1964-1965 he was a 1st year medical resident in Internal Medicine at Northshore Hospital in Manhassett Long Island, New York.  In 1965 they moved to Warren, Ohio where they would live for the next 57 years.  Dr. Kumar served as a 2nd year resident at Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren, Ohio from 1965-1966 and became Chief resident from 1966-1967.  He then served as the House Physician at Hillside Hospital in Warren from 1967-1969.

Dr. Kumar was able to earn his U.S. Citizenship upon being drafted to the U.S. Army.  He was proud and honored to serve the country that he loved so much as a Major in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1969-1970.  He earned an Army Commendation Medal and The Bronze Star Medal for outstanding meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. His service continued from 1970-1971 at Ford Ord Station Hospital in Monterey, California.  After his honorable discharge, he returned to Warren, Ohio where he was the Assistant Medical Director at Hillside Hospital from 1971-1976.  He then achieved his next goal of opening a Private Practice in Internal Medicine in Howland, Ohio and became a staff member of Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren, Ohio.  For the next 46 years he served his patients with devoted care, saving countless lives with his outstanding diagnostic skills and empathetic bedside manner.

In January 2022, Dr. Kumar retired from practicing medicine at the age of 84 and moved with Ruthie to Solon, Ohio to live with their daughter, Michelle and her family. Leaving his practice was the most difficult decision in his life because he truly loved his work.  He had an unrivaled intellect, passion for medicine and caring for others.  During retirement he continued to study medicine on a daily basis for hours at a time.  He had a love for learning that never subsided as well as his love of tennis, rock music and the Boston Celtics.  But most of all, he loved spending time with his greatest legacy, the family he and Ruthie built together. He left them with a lifetime of amazing memories that they will cherish forever.

Staying true to his dedication to learning and medicine, Dr. Kumar donated his body to be used for medical research. Family and friends may visit and pay tribute to Dr. Kumar’s family during memorial calling hours on Friday, May 31, 2024 from 3 to 5pm at the Peter Rossi & Son memorial Chapel of Warren, 1884 North Road NE.

There will be a funeral service with military honors beginning at 5pm on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in memory of Dr. Ashok G. Kumar to the Lerner School of Medicine. Checks may be mailed to Cleveland Clinic Philanthropy PO Box 931517 Cleveland, OH 44193 or online at give.ccf.org

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