Dr. Ghanshyam N. Pandey

Dr. Ghanshyam N. Pandey, age 85, of Burr Ridge, passed away peacefully October 15, 2022. Visitation on Thursday, October 20th at McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home (530 W. Boughton Rd. Bolingbrook, IL. 60440) will be from 12:00pm to 1:45pm. Program will begin at 1:45pm and puja service at 2:30pm. Cremation rites to follow. Service will Be Livestreamed Thursday at 12:00pm (CST) https://livestream.funeralscreen.com/mccauley-sullivan/dr-ghanshyam-pandey/ In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in honor of Dr. Pandey’s research. https://supporting.afsp.org/campaign/Dr--Ghanshyam-Pandey-Research-Memorial-Fund Dr. Ghanshyam N. Pandey, celebrated neuroscientist and Indo-American community leader, passed away on October 15th, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the beloved husband of Leela; devoted father and father-in-law to Meena, Medha, Deepa, and Sanjiv; and adoring grandfather to Kirin, Archana, and Serena. He was also the caring brother and brother-in-law of Raman and wife Usha, along with thirteen more brothers and sisters, and dear uncle to Richa and Ritu. Dr. Pandey served as Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology and Director of the Mood Disorders and Suicide Research program at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he studied the underlying biological causes of depression and suicide. His contributions to the field garnered local, national, and international recognition, including awards from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the International Symposium on Translational Neuroscience, and the Indian Science Congress, in addition to the “Researcher of the Year”, “University Scholar”, and “Distinguished Faculty” awards from the University of Illinois. As an early South Asian immigrant to the Chicago area, Dr. Pandey led grassroot initiatives to build a culturally rich and politically active Indo-American community. He served as President for the Association of Indians in America as well as founding President of the Uttar Pradesh Association of Greater Chicago, and revitalized these organizations with community-based service activities. Early in the history of the Illinois chapters, he worked with congressmen towards a fair immigration bill, and coordinated with Metropolitan Asian Family Services to understand and address the social and political needs of immigrants in Chicago, for which he was honored by the Consul General of India. Above all, Dr. Pandey cherished–and was deeply cherished by–his family and friends. Those who knew him will remember him as a citizen of the world, who told vivacious stories about his wide-ranging travels and charmed all with his profound appreciation for food, music, and art. He inspired devotion among the little ones (and the furry ones) in his life with a glint in his eye as he smuggled them endless treats, and among all who loved him with his unwavering commitment to responsibility for those who were part of his life. He will be loved and missed.

Dr. Ghanshyam N. Pandey

July 5, 1937 - October 15, 2022