10/21/1949 – 8/11/2021
Dr. Guru Sandesh S. Khalsa, ND, died unexpectedly on August 11, 2021, at his home in Lake Oswego, Oregon. He was 71.
Dr. Khalsa was a respected naturopathic physician and a revered, beloved member of the naturopathic medicine profession. He served for decades in many important and trusted roles, including teacher, mentor, college president and dean, accreditor, administrator, and visionary. He touched the entire naturopathic community in the US and Canada and will be remembered for his intelligence, wisdom, patience, compassion, and sense of humor.
Dr. Khalsa was born on October 21, 1949, in Glendale, California, to Virginia Wright Reid and William Reid. He obtained his BA in physics at Occidental College in Los Angeles, a degree in human biology at Kansas Newman College in Wichita, Kansas, and a doctorate of naturopathic medicine at National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, graduating with distinction in 1978.
Dr. Khalsa served tirelessly to support the naturopathic medicine profession in numerous capacities, including President of NUMN; President of Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in British Columbia, Canada; Dean of the University of Bridgeport School of Naturopathic Medicine in Bridgeport, Connecticut; President of the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges; and member of the board of directors of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the Institute for Natural Medicine. He also served as President of the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education and as a site visit team leader for the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. His long career benefited many, including the naturopathic physicians and acupuncturists whom he taught and the patients they have gone on to serve.
Dr. Khalsa married Amar Kaur Linda Northrup, LAc, in 1991 in Portland, Oregon. They lived in Lake Oswego and enjoyed hiking, music, art, and travel, including train travel, one of his passions.
Dr. Khalsa was an ordained minister in the Sikh religion, devoted to his faith and a beloved member of the local and international Sikh and Kundalini Yoga community. Among the most important moments in his life were the pilgrimages he took to India to visit the sites most associated with the heart of the Sikh faith.
Survivors include his wife, Amar Kaur Linda Northrup, LAc, his family of naturopathic medicine colleagues, and the Sikh communities of Portland and Eugene, Oregon.
Cremation was August 16, 2021. His ashes will be spread in places dear to him.
Condolences may be sent to 630 B Ave. #3, Lake Oswego, OR, 97034. Donations in Dr. Khalsa’s name may be made to the Great Bear Foundation, Missoula, Montana.
