It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Meenakshisundaram Kalyanaraman, who passed away at the age of 80 on 24 Feb 2023 surrounded by his family.

Born in the village of Angarai, India, and raised on the banks of the Kaveri, he grew up in a humble and hardworking family. He often reminisced about his childhood, where he learned the value of education, dedication, and resilience from his parents. He was proud that, despite starting life in a small village without electricity or running water, he pursued higher education in chemical engineering. He spent his entire career at Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF), rising over four decades at the company to a General Manager overseeing management services and traveling around the world. He was an avid reader and lifelong learner, who even taught himself the use of double pointers in C.

From an early age, he took on responsibility for his family - supporting his parents and ensuring that his three sisters were well cared for both personally and professionally. After meeting the love of his life, Lakshmi, they had a fulfilling 51-year marriage, over which they raised two children, and instilled in them the same values that he learned in his youth. He was a dedicated husband and father, who always put his family's needs before his own.

After a long and successful career, he spent his golden years pursuing his passions. He loved photography, traveling, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a compassionate and caring person, who maintained a database of his large extended family tree, and was sure to personally wish each and everyone on their birthdays and anniversaries. He enjoyed translating his engineering prowess to the domestic sphere through clever hacks to optimize his living spaces. He put his encyclopedic knowledge of Hindu rituals to use by conducting daily prayers, using his high school Sanskrit to ensure they followed all the rules.

Kalyanaraman will always be remembered as a loving husband, a devoted father, a doting grandfather, and a cherished friend. He is survived by his wife, Lakshmi, and his three sisters, Shyamala, Chitra and Jaya. His legacy will live on through his two children, Natarajan (Shilpa) and Shankari (Tom), and his four beloved granddaughters, Manonmani, Jayalakshmi, Leela and Meenakshi.

A private family funeral service will be held to honor his life and legacy. We kindly ask for your prayers and condolences during this difficult time.