Anand Yeshwant Talcherkar (of Orland Park, IL), beloved father, retired physician and dear friend to so many, passed away peacefully of natural causes on April 1, 2025.

He was born on June 14, 1944 to Yeshwant Harishchandra Talcherkar and Kanta Pradhan (Simantini Y. Talcherkar) – both predeceased) in Indore, India.

Anand attended Don Bosco (Mumbai, India) for elementary school, Ramnarain Ruia College (Mumbai, India) for college and Ghandi Medical College (Bhopal, India) for medical school.

In 1971, he married (Padmavathi Talcherkar – ex spouse, surviving) and came to Chicago, IL where he eventually became a surgical resident at Cook County Hospital, specializing in ER/Trauma surgery. He was the chief resident at Little Company of Mary Hospital (Evergreen Park, IL) where his two children (Sameer Talcherkar – son, Anjali Talcherkar – daughter, both surviving) were born. In 1980, he moved to Carlinville, Illinois where he set up a medical practice ("Talcherkar Clinic") and performed surgeries, family practice and geriatric care. His practice was acquired by Memorial Medical Group (Springfield, IL) in the late 90s and then subsequently acquired by Illini Medical Associates (Jerseyville, IL). In the mid 00s he relocated to Chicago (Orland Park, IL) and worked as a traveling physician as part of Medicare programs for underserved communities in the greater Chicago-area. After a long and distinguished career in medicine, he retired in 2019.

Our father touched many over his lifetime and the first thing he would want each and every person to know is how much they meant to him. He cherished his friendships most dearly. He kept in touch with so many, from all walks of life.

Our father was truly a self-made man. Having been sent away to live with his aunt and uncle for schooling at an early age, he flew the coop much earlier than most of us. He was street smart, savvy, and highly diplomatic; he used his God-given natural talent along with a fierce resolve to become successful in his career and life. Upon getting denied admission to medical school (he was accepted for Dental School but his dream was to become a surgeon) he spent two years working tirelessly until he finally received admission to medical school in Bhopal. This is just one example of his tenacity.

While he spent the majority of his career as a "small town" doctor, there was nothing small about him. Although a physician by trade, his true passion and gift was in history and political science. He could have easily been a professor at a university and would have been an excellent one at that, which his extensive library of books can attest to. In fact, there may not have been a more knowledgeable person on the subject of Indian military history than him. Our beloved Anand had views that often challenged the status quo, and he relished debating them.

He was a true "maratha warrior" and his house was adorned with pictures of Shivaji Maharaj.

Our Dad was charming and could melt anyone with his smile. Some may have called him a "ladies man" or " Desi Casanova" in his earlier days, but those stories are for those who know.

He loved scotch whiskey and had an appreciation for "old fashioned" things like his extensive fountain pen and camera collections. His other hobbies included photography, water color painting, scrapbooking, fishing, watching the news and his "retirement" job, selling things on ebay.

Everything Dad did was deliberate, well organized and purposeful. He kept meticulous records and his desk was always tidy. He had excellent penmanship and there was a dignity and pride about everything he touched. He relished tradition and doing things the "right way". He could fix many things and was handy.

He was a man of strong faith (Hindu) and a devotee of Shree Dattatreya.

In his final days despite his declining health he still actively kept in touch and offered his unconditional love and support to everyone. That is just how he was wired. And if there was one thing he would want to express to us all going forward, it would be to "be good to each other and to oneself."

It is not possible for anyone to reflect on our father without smiling, as his infectious smile was contagious. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from each and every one of you. And he would be delighted to see his friends and family connecting with one another, however near or far and after however long.

We honor the life of this kind, gentle and wise man who will forever be in our hearts and loving thoughts.

Blessings and Om Shanti,

-Sameer and Anjali Talcherkar

His visitation will take place on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., located at McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home & Crematorium, 530 West Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, Illinois 60440. The Puja will begin immediately following the visitation at 12:00 p.m. Cremation ceremony to conclude the services for Dr. Talcherkar.

P.S. Flowers or other gifts / donations are not requested at this time.