In Loving Memory of Dr. K. Narayan Shetty - Visionary Leader | Philanthropist | Former BANA President (1999–2001) | Lifelong Champion of Community Service
- BANA Seattle
- Jul 8
- 2 min read
The Bunt community mourns the loss of a towering figure Dr. K. Narayan Shetty whose life stood as a shining example of service, humility, and unwavering devotion to uplifting others. His loss is profoundly felt by all who had the honor of knowing him or being touched by his extraordinary generosity. He exemplified the core values of empathy, service, and leadership — a beacon for others to follow. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the community he strengthened, and the values he championed.
Dr. K. Narayan Shetty, the youngest and eighth child of Sri Sowkur Laxman Shetty and Smt. Kandavara Bhagirathi Shetty, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, at his residence in Florida, USA.
Dr. Narayan Shetty was a proud alumnus of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. With a firm grounding in academic excellence and a desire to serve humanity, he pursued higher medical studies in the United States. He went on to establish a successful and respected career as a cardiologist in Pittsburgh, becoming a pillar of the community where he practiced until his retirement in 2014.
Dr. Narayan Shetty’s medical journey was distinguished further by his deep compassion and extraordinary philanthropy. In memory of his beloved wife, the late Lila Shetty, he founded the Lila Narayan Shetty Cancer Research Institute and the Lila Narayan Shetty Neuro-Sciences Research Institute in India — two institutions that continue to be emblematic of hope, research, and care.
He is a visionary leader who believed in building enduring bridges between tradition and progress. His passion for education, healthcare, and cultural preservation was evident in every initiative he supported. Among many one of the most impactful contributions was the establishment of the Lila N. Shetty Memorial Scholarship, created in loving memory of his late wife. Administered by The Pittsburgh Foundation, this scholarship supports students pursuing degrees in Medicine (MD) or Osteopathic Medicine (DO), a profound reflection of Dr. Shetty’s respect for learning, compassion, and service to humanity. Lila Shetty Memorial Scholarship | BANA
Following his retirement, he made his home in Tampa, Florida creating treasured memories and pursuing adventures with a close, cherished circle of friends
While he was a beloved friend to many, his deepest passion was reserved for his family. He brought laughter, warmth and generosity to his family, creating countless joyful moments and lasting memories.
He is survived by his son, Dr. Sarvotham Shetty, and daugher-in-law Malavika in Pennsylvania and his daughter, Nina Shetty and son-in-law Debasis Saha in California . He was the proud grandfather of Ethan, Rohan, Avant, Ishaan and Sajal and was loved by extended family and friends.
Dr Shetty embraced life with great joy, bringing love and laughter to everyone he met. He leaves behind a rich legacy of compassion, dedication and a life well lived.
Funeral services will be held 10 am EST, Wednesday July 9, 2025 at Serenity Meadows Memorial Park. Cremation Services to follow.
Serenity Meadows Memorial Park 6919 Providence Road, Riverview, FL 33578
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM EST- 2:00 PM on Thursday July 10, 2025 at : The Hindu Temple of Florida, 5509 Lynn Road , Tampa, Florida 33624
