AN Oswaldtwistle GP has died just two weeks after retiring, aged 68.

Dr Devinder Gupta set up Oswald Medical Centre in Union Road with his wife, Dr Shashi Prabha Gupta, in 2001.

The couple had previously established a practice in Infirmary Street, Blackburn, and merged the two.

The father-of two and grandfather-of-four left the practice on June 1, but died in the intensive care unit of the Royal Blackburn Hospital on June 16 from septicemia, which had affected multiple vital organs.

His wife, retired GP Dr Gupta, 64, said: “He was a generous, noble, benevolent as a person, loving, affectionate and a caring husband.”

His son, Dr Vikas Gupta, 34, of Rugby, said his father was “very adventurous, confident and determined” when, after qualifying as a doctor in Kasmir in 1967, he left the poverty of northern India for England two years later.

He worked in various hospitals before arriving at Queen’s Park Hospital, Blackburn, in 1976, where he worked until starting as a GP in 1979.

His son said: “He always cared for others, as shown by his career choice, and would welcome people into his home so warmly that they became very close.

“Due to his very nature, he amassed a large circle of friends.”

Dr Gupta was a founder member and treasurer of the Small Practices Association.

He was also the chairman of Blackburn Hindu Cultural Society, and had involvement in a number of charity events and the India League.

Vikas said: “Dad was always wanting to better himself and used to write messages to himself to improve himself.”

Family friend Vibha Gupta, 70, a retired social worker from Langho, said: “His lust for life was insatiable.”