Rohit Talwani

Rohit Talwani, beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, mentor and friend, passed away Saturday, March 2, 2024. He was 55.

Born in 1968 in Jalandhar, India, Rohit came to Palo Alto, CA, at age 8 months. He moved across the country with his family to Columbia, SC, at age 5 and soon thereafter became an ardent Gamecock fan.  

A graduate of Irmo High School, Rohit earned a degree in biochemistry at Cornell University. He returned to the Bay Area to spend a year in a lab that was creating at-home cholesterol kits before attending medical school at The University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Rohit completed his internship year at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and his residency in internal medicine at USC School of Medicine. He then completed a fellowship in infectious diseases at Rush University Medical Center.

A Professor of Medicine at University of Maryland School of Medicine and Chief, Section of Infectious Diseases, at VA Maryland Healthcare System, Rohit spent part of his career in industry at Gilead Sciences and Merck Research Laboratories and is known for his Hepatitis C and vaccine research. His fellows deemed him their perennial favorite among the attendings, and there is a whole generation of infectious diseases doctors who will carry on his legacy.

Rohit was a man of many interests. He had an insatiable love of learning throughout his life, was fond of music, hiking, travel and food, enjoyed weightlifting and completed two triathlons, was a sports fan, and learned to play the guitar in his forties. He was a collector of books, vinyl albums, baseball cards and fountain pens.

He was happiest when surrounded by loved ones—whether sharing a meal or laughs, discussing music, literature, sports or politics or attending concerts and sporting events.

Preceded in death by his mother, Anita Talwani, Rohit is survived by his wife of 23 years, Laura Galloway; his father, Pradeep Talwani; sister, Radhika Talwani Bombard; brother-in-law, Tate Bombard; nephews, Pierce Talwani Bombard, Cy Gabriel Bombard, Roan Kelley Bombard and Ethan Nalbach; nieces Kaylee Marie Galloway and Madison Nalbach; brother-in-law Jason Lee Galloway; sisters-in-law Pamela Ann Nalbach and Diane Galloway; mother-in-law Linda Sue Galloway; numerous loving friends on both coasts; and his cherished dog, Olive.

Rohit will be remembered for his beautiful smile, tremendous generosity and selflessness, his incredible sense of humor, his penchant for making lifelong friends, his love of family, brilliant mind, mischief making and his commitment to his patients.

A celebration of Rohit’s life will be held in both Columbia and Baltimore at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to a charity close to your heart.

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