Kalika Prasad Srivastava M.D.

Srivastava, Kalika Prasad, M.D.MENANDS - On March 7, 2026, Dr. Kalika Prasad Srivastava passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home in Menands, N.Y. A warm and loving husband, father of three daughters, grandfather to three granddaughters, uncle to many, and friend to countless people, he dedicated his life to caring for and healing others.Kalika was born in 1933 in Dumraon, Bihar, India, the youngest son of Mukhtullah Devi and Rajendra Prasad. The loss of his father at the tender age of three and the fortitude of his mother raising five children in difficult circumstances influenced his purpose and his approach to nurturing his relationships. He wed the late Rama Rani Prasad in 1958, and the two enjoyed a wonderful married life for 64 years, built on a foundation of love and deep mutual respect, and grew their family and community together through care and laughter.In 1955, he received his medical degree from Darbhanga Medical College. He completed his residency in General Surgery at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, N.Y., and was later appointed to the surgical staff in all of the Troy hospitals. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, and a Diplomate of the American Board of General Surgery. He was one of the first surgeons in the Capital Region to have been recognized with these distinctions. He completed further training and specialized in cancer and vascular surgery in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. By the 1960s, Kalika settled in Troy, N.Y. He enjoyed various leadership roles at St. Mary's Hospital, published numerous medical papers and articles, and belonged to several professional associations, including his induction into the International College of Surgeons. In his later years, he transitioned to providing primary care to members of the Troy community, and also provided elder care to residents at Van Rensselaer Manor until 2021. He firmly held the belief that healthcare access is a universal right and provided free care to those in need.He was a keen athlete, leading his soccer team to victory in state championships during his youth, and earning him scholarships to fund his graduate education. His favorite pastimes included watching tennis matches, staying informed on local, national, and global politics, reading biographies of changemakers and world leaders, and playing bridge and other card games. During the summers, the family would pile into the family car and explore his adopted country. With his quick wit and wry sense of humor, he loved to entertain and host parties for his friends and family. He took great pleasure in good food-especially his wife's home cooking-and ardently enjoyed Bihari chicken curry, deep-fried chickpea and peas pakoras, and had a penchant for all things chocolate.As a founding member of the Tri-City India Association and the Hindu Temple Society, and as a strong supporter of girls' education, he acted on his belief that community, intellectual inquiry, and cultural exchange function as the bedrock of society. He was generous with his time and guidance, and his perseverance and sacrifices helped his children, relatives, and others worldwide access opportunities to chart the course of their lives.Dr. Srivastava is survived by his daughters, Jyoti (Robert Castracane), Pinki (Sunjay Verma) and Lina; and beloved granddaughters, Anjali Dayal, Sarina Verma, and Anika Verma. He leaves cherished loved ones across all parts of India, Europe, Australia, and North America, including two fur babies, Daisy and Bloom.The family extends its heartfelt thanks to his providers and caretakers, especially Dr. Freshteh Salehi, Sophy Mangual, Marie Mulligan, Mr. and Mrs. Singh Sidhu, Sally Tedesco, Indra Mohammed. We thank the staff at The Community Hospice and Albany Medical Center.Relatives and friends may call at the Gardner Earl Chapel, 186 Oakwood Ave., Troy, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., with service to follow at 10:30 a.m.In lieu of flowers, to honor Dr. Srivastava's deep belief that no child in the world should be hungry, sick, or unloved, the family requests contributions in his name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: https://bit.ly/In-Honor-of-Kalika-and-Rama. For the full obituary, please visit brycefuneralhome.com, where you can share or send condolences, light a candle, view videos or get service directions.