Raymond Manohar Anchan, MD, PhD, passed away at the age of 61 on October 9, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. A beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, teacher, mentor, and physician, Dr. Anchan’s life was marked by remarkable love, faith, and adventure. His deep commitment to God and his zest for life led to tremendous achievements, lifelong friendships, and boundless generosity.

Born in Tumkur, Karnataka, India, on December 25, 1962, Dr. Anchan was the son of the late Charles Anchan and Mary (John) Anchan. He spent his early years between India, Canada, and the United States, where he received his education and laid the foundation for his extraordinary career.

Dr. Anchan attended boarding school in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, and later won a national scholarship to complete high school at Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala in Mysore. After graduation, he returned to Canada, where he studied with his brother, Roby, at the University of Lethbridge. He earned his Master’s in Neuroscience from the University of Calgary School of Medicine in 1989 and completed a PhD in Anatomy and Neurobiology at the University of Washington School of Medicine in 1994.

While pursuing his PhD, Dr. Anchan met his future wife, Dr. Gigi Lizza George. They married on June 26, 1993, in Houston and began their life together in Seattle, filled with shared adventures, from hiking Mount Rainier to exploring the Cascades. Dr. Anchan later pursued an MD at the Brody School of Medicine, followed by a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at East Carolina University, and a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship at Harvard Medical School at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His career there as Assistant Professor, Attending Physician, and Gynecologic Surgeon spanned nearly two decades. Dr. Anchan helped countless families facing infertility, advanced Reproductive Stem Cell Biology and Gynecologic research, and inspired numerous students with his dedication to excellence in science and medicine.

As a father, Dr. Anchan was devoted to his twin sons, Christopher and Michael, attending every milestone and supporting them wholeheartedly. Despite his demanding schedule, he prioritized family dinners, shared in prayer, and led them in worship. A romantic at heart, Dr. Anchan cherished his wife, Gigi, with daily gestures of love and devotion.

Dr. Anchan was a man of many talents and interests. A self-taught musician, he played guitar and sang worship songs with his family. Known for his playful humor, he enjoyed the outdoors, especially hiking, kayaking, and spending time with his golden retrievers, Mac and Layla. As a pastor-elder, he served his community, preaching, counseling young couples, and officiating weddings. He spent over 30 years stewarding his parents’ mission, the Rural Indian Mission Hospital clinic in Tumkur, transforming it into a palliative care center for underserved communities.

Dr. Anchan’s legacy will endure through his family, friends, colleagues, and all who were blessed to know him.