Dear Timme,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Niran was a lovely man and we will miss him.
Phyllis and Howard Kaplan

I had the honor of working for Dr Kotrapu for about 24 years along with Linda Oswald. We felt blessed to work alongside this very caring, gentle, and very knowledgeable physician. He never got upset with us, although I am sure at times he probably bit his tongue. He was so kind to all of his patients and because of his accent we would often have to tell the parents what he just told them. He was always so respectful and remained so calm in an emergency situation. He was so very proud of Timmie and his son Dan and his beautiful family. He would send me pictures of those 2 precious grand children. You could see his smile right through the phone when he would call to tell me of their achievements. May God bless his dear family at this very difficult time. He will be greatly missed by so many. 

Dr. K was such a privilege to work with. I am a nurse and worked with him on peds. He always stayed calm no matter what the situation was. He was very intelligent and always knew what to do. Parents and nurses trusted him completely. Dr. K always had a big smile if asked about his wife and son. You could see his love and pride he had for them. Rest in peace Dr. K you will be remembered by oh so many. Prayers and thoughts for your family.

Dr. Kotrapu was my older two kids’ pediatrician, along with having been my younger brother’s also. He was always a very caring man. One funny story I have though is when my oldest son had his first or second checkup at the clinic. I could usually understand Dr. Kotrapu pretty well, but as he was bending down listening to my son’s heart, he was asking certain questions and then asked what I thought was “how often does he take a bottle?” I answered about every four hours. He looks up at me and says “what?” (Not sternly, just in disbelief). I then replied “maybe I misunderstood. What did you ask?” He actually asked me how often he had a bowel movement. No wonder he was shocked. Many condolences from our family on the loss of Dr. Kotrapu.

Dr Kotrapu give my children the best care. He was so good with the kids and so good with me since being a new mother who thought she knew lots after just graduating nursing school. So patient with me!!

We so appreciated Dr. Kotrapu! Both of our sons were under his care from infancy. New parents in 1979; didn’t realize you can just feed the baby foods that the infants prefer! So Eric loved all the “ orangey” baby foods; carrots, pumpkin, squash ! Few months old on next visit: Dr Kotrapu stated: “ Too much”orangey” foods; skin is turning yellow!
Give more greens to blend nutrients! It worked; placed a bit of orangey in front of greens and it went down; as well as skin tones!

Late one afternoon, I called my friend (Dr. Kotrapu's assistant) to ask for the syrup formula to help my three-week-old baby who seemed constipated and was refusing to nurse, yet seemed so hungry. She said she would call me right back. Moments later, she called, said to bring him in right away even though he wasn't Dr. Kotrapu's patient. Dr. K. examined him swiftly and thoroughly, then turned to me and said, "Your baby is very ill." With that, he took off carrying my little guy through the underground connecting hall between clinic and hospital.

To my dismay, I soon learned my baby had viral meningitis. Thanks to Dr. Kotrapu's wisdom, expertise, quick thinking, and great care, our little Charlie recovered completely and has brought us 41 years of joy...still counting.

This dear doctor could have said, "It's late, time to go home. Have your friend bring her baby in first thing in the morning." Thank God, he didn't. My son may not have been around to see another day. I am so grateful for this doctor who put life before a time clock. 

This great Doctor saved our baby’s life . We brought her down to Bismarck in 1974 and he got us into the University of Minnesota right away . He recognized she needed a specialist. God Bless You . Mike and Deone Lawlar

Dr.K. took care of all three of my kids. What a kind, kind man. So sorry for your loss.

Dr. Kotrapu was the most kind and gentle physician. Skilled and compassionate. It was an honor to learn from and work with him. May he rest in peace. Sympathy and prayers to all.

Dr. K, the Man, the Myth, our Legend
Yesterday
by Linda Oswald
How does one sum up the privilege of working with this man in just a few short words?
As the text came through from Dan letting me know Dr. K was gone, my heart went numb but, in my head, hundreds of memories came flooding back. When Wendy and I connected by phone, we laughed (and cried) as we recounted oh so many memories of our time with him. I was his medical assistant for about 14 1/2 years while Wendy was his nurse all but 5 of his 32 years at MDC.

His accent was quite strong so when he hired me, I had the awesome privilege of meeting him at the nursery first thing every morning. He had me help "interpret" for our new moms who maybe struggled to understand him.
It took a while even for me to learn this skill as one day he asked me for a cow. I didn't want to be disrespectful but had no idea what he was referring to. I looked at Wendy for help and she was of no help whatsoever. Finally, he said, "Cow. Cow!" and pointed at the empty roll of paper towels.

One rarely, if ever saw Dr. K angry but on this particular busy day, a mom left the clinic with her little darling. Not long after she'd left, the phone rang. It was the patient's father. He insisted on speaking to Dr. Kotrapu personally. (Back then, doctors still did take phone calls!) Wendy gave the phone to Dr. K and it seemed like a typical conversation. But suddenly, Dr. K raised his voice and practically shouted, "Yes?? Well, you know, yo wife get all piss off befo I could splain!" The wife had understood Dr. K to say her little boy had "gangrene" when in reality, he told her the boy had a "ganglion cyst". 

Wendy has a very soft heart and she can cry easily when that heart is touched. One day, Dr. K was going to explain something emotional to her and he stopped mid-sentence. When she asked for clarification, he responded, "If I tell you, you gone all banana!" He didn't want her to cry, so he withheld the story.

Dr. K's sense of humor was perfectly matched with his ability to laugh at himself.
We'd ask such things as, "With your dark skin, how do you know if you're sunburned?" His answer: "I look like burnt toast." And he'd smile that toothy grin.

Probably the story he is most notorious for, speaking of accent is the day he came out of Room 36. He'd just seen a new patient and he had the most baffled look on his face. We asked what was wrong and he answered, "The mom of this baby said her sister brought her child to me some years ago - and I told her the baby had a
hot mama!!!" (Heart Murmur). We asked, "Oh no!!! What did you say?"
He said, "I asked, "did she ever come back?"

He had a Danny story nearly every day. That boy was their world. 
One story I remember was that he had been singing to Danny the night before. Danny told him he sounded like a cave man. Oh well!!!

On a serious note, though, Dr. Niran Kotrapu was a gifted pediatrician and his practice was proof of that. It would be nothing for us to see 40-60 children in a day!
He was tough and tender at the same time. We saw him run with a baby in his arms through the tunnel to the hospital, all the while performing CPR on the child - who, by the way, survived! He had a sixth sense about those little humans which made him an excellent diagnostician. He cared so deeply. They were 'his' kids. He didn't forget them by name! Even recently, I called to share news with him, from back 'home' regarding one of 'his kids'. He not only remembered their name but the names of their brothers and sisters!!!
I will always count it a privilege to have worked with and been a part of his team. Dr. K will never be forgotten in this girl's broken heart!

Timmie, Dan and Ivy, Kaden and Mabel, may the stories you read on this wonderful website heal your hurting hearts in the months and years to come. Know that you each were Number 1 in his world!!! 


Dr. Kotrapu.
Yesterday
by Sherry Moore
Dr. Kotrapu had a remarkable calm core and terrific smile which never failed to provide me the assurance needed as a parent. He was pivotal to me in that project and they are now splendid adults and parents themselves. Thank you to his family for sharing him. My condolences.
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Dr. K was my pediatrician when me moved to Bismarck at age 3 (now 44 years old). I had a lot of ear infections growing up and I got to the point where I needed to take a pill not a liquid. I remember him taking time out to teach me in clinic how to take a pill. I became a nurse and then had the privilege of working/learning from him on the peds and PICU units at St A’s. He was so quick at inserting a breathing tube, teaching other physicians how to do the same. I ran into him several years after he retired in Bismarck and he remembered me by name. There are countless other stories of him as a pediatrician. May he rest in peace. My condolences to his family.

John and I will always remember Nirons sweet smile and his love for Timmie. He was the ying to her yang! A true gentleman. We will miss his quiet and unassuming ways.

I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Kotrapu was just an amazing human being. During my very difficult labor and delivery, he was on standby because my son's heart rate kept dropping. As soon as he was birthed, Dr. Kotrapu was whisking him away but yelled to me "he okay!". I will forever remember that those 2 words gave me so much comfort. I am sure your family sacrificed a lot through the years with his dedication to his young patients. I can't ever remember an ER visit (there were a lot with an active boy) or hospital stay where Dr. Kotrapu wasn't by our side, easing our fears and making sure our son received the best care. When our son reached his adolescent/young adult years he was so upset that he could no longer visit his beloved doctor. Thank you for sharing him with my very grateful family. 

Our hearts and prayers are with you all. Dr Kotrapu was and will always be very special to our family. He provided care to our daughter who was born with a heart defect. He was so knowledgeable, kind and helpful as along her journey. We will always be thankful for his help. God bless you all.

Dr Kotrapu was such a kind gentle man and caring doctor. He took care of our sons back in the late 70's and early 80's at Mid Dakota Clinic. He and Timmie were also our backyard neighbors. Timmie's flowers were always so beautiful. Such wonderful people. We were blessed to have them in our community. RIP Dr Kotrapu.

Dr. Kotrapu was one of the most gentle, kind and wonderful doctors. He diagnosed a kidney issue in our 6 month old daughter and helped save her life. My family will be forever grateful to this kind human being for his compassion and knowledge. Rest in peace.

I worked with Dr. Katropu while a student in college and afterwards was my family's pediatrician for all 4 of my children. I could not have had a more wonderful doctor. Rest in Peace.

Dearest Kotrapu Family and Friends,
I knew Dr Kotrapu for many years as we worked at Mid Dakota clinic together and he cared for my daughter Kylie, who had many heart issues, who is now a healthy and happy 23 year old who is now currently working at the same clinic while finishing her college. The ripple effect of all of the lives he had touched will continue and my heart is sad, and my deepest sympathies to you. I hope you find peace and comfort from all who will also miss him. Blessings, Lynette Schaff, Monte Schaff, Kylie Schaff, Amy Schaff and Everett Schaff.

I wanted to say sorry for your loss. He did my open heart surgery June 6, 1985 in Bismarck North Dakota. He helped save my life and thankful the full life I am able to have because of him.