Obituary for Arun Arora

Arun Arora passed away on April 25th, 2020 at his home in Galena, Ohio. He was born December 5th, 1942 in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, India at Annapurna Bhavan to parents Raja Ram and Radha Rani Arora. He grew up in Atrauli, Uttar Pradesh. Starting at a young age, he was very fond of animals, whether it was his birds as a child or his beloved dogs in adulthood. During his secondary school years, he was affectionately known as “Sethji” to friends and family. In 1967, he graduated from King George Medical College in Lucknow, realizing his lifelong dream to become a dentist. It was while in dental practice in Lucknow that he married his best friend and soulmate, Shashi. This November, they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They say a man is measured by the sacrifices they make for others and the manner in which they make these sacrifices. In 1973, with only $40 in his pocket, he and his wife moved to the United States to pursue life here as a dentist. His only goal was to create a better life for his wife and future children. Facing challenges with a foreign dental degree, he enrolled in Case Western Reserve University Dental School at the age of 43. He graduated in 1988 when his sons were 7 and 8 years old, and established an esteemed dental practice in Canton, Ohio. Dr. Arora was beloved by his patients for his quality dental care and amazing bedside manner. He reluctantly retired from his dental practice at the end of 2017.

Most importantly, he was an incredible family man. He was a devoted husband and an amazing father. He loved laughing and spending time with his numerous siblings, cousins, sister/brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews. For his good friends, the “Wednesday Night Men’s Group” won’t be the same. He will always be remembered as a die-hard Cleveland Browns and Indians fan, sharing with anyone his opinions on which players should stay and go. Above all, he cherished the most recent phase of his life, spending quality time and consistently spoiling his five grandchildren. He was present for all of their births whether it be in Ohio or New York. Rarely in life do you meet someone who touched as many lives as he did. He was quirky (plenty of dad jokes), honest, caring, and a joy to be around. He truly left this world a better place, and his death has left a void for many, many people. Arun is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Mahendra and Vipin, sisters Shashi (Kashyap) and Prabha (Khettry). He is survived by his loving wife Shashi, sons Amol (Jacquelyn) and Amit (Leena Nahata), brothers Ashok, Rajiv, and Nimesh, and grandchildren: Jonah, Mason, Isla, Saavan, and Ishani. He is also survived by his wife’s siblings, Vishwanath, Sudha, Shaila, Archana, Kalpna, Anita, and Srinath. A service will be held April 27th at 10:30am at Rutherford Funeral Home in Powell, OH but is not open to the public. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ohio Dental Association Foundation, https://oda.org/donate/foundation/step1/