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Michigan State University

FUNERAL HOME

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

1730 East Grand River Ave

East Lansing, Michigan

Rajagopal Sitaraman Obituary

Rajagopal Sitaraman Okemos Rajagopal passed away December 22, 2010 at the age of 69. He was born September 1, 1941 in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India. Raj is survived by Kasthuri Sitaraman, beloved father to son, Pravin and daughter-in-law, Shailee and loving grandfather to Shalin and Kalin. He has one surviving sister in India, Vijaya and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews both in India and here at home. Raj received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural College, Coimbatore, India. He attended Agricultural College and Research Institute of Vellayani and received a Master's degree in Entomology. Raj came to the United States in 1968 and graduated with a Master's degree in Pesticides from MSU in 1973. He worked for the Michigan Department of Agriculture for over 20 years and retired in September of 2002. Raj loved tennis, photography, friends and family. He was a devoted father, brother, uncle and grandfather. He went out of his way to help friends and family. His remains will be cremated at a private gathering of family and friends. The family is planning a Memorial Service in his honor in April of 2011. Friends and family will be notified. Contributions may be made to NARSAD, The Brain and Behavior Research Fund at www.narsad.org, in Raj's memory. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing. On line condolences may be made to www.gorslineruncimaneastlansing.com.

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Published by Lansing State Journal on Dec. 30, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Rajagopal Sitaraman

Sponsored by Pravin Sitaraman, Son of Rajagopal.

28 Entries

Jeannie Holcomb

February 18, 2011

Dear Raj was a kind, gentle man with a smile that lit up a room. I will forever be grateful for his kindness and willingness to lend a helping hand. I am eternally grateful for the many lessons I learned from him, I am sorry that he will never know the effect his life and loss had on me. It was an honor to call him friend and it is with great sadness that I say goodbye.

manoj venugopal

February 9, 2011

Well, we have not spend too many days together. But every time he visited india Sita Uncle visited us too.Those short visits were memorable too because he was a very friendly person who would catch every one's attention in a crowd. We have had good conversations and during those i have felt his great love and affection for his family.Hard to believe that he is no more.When you loose something precious unexpectedly you are at a loss!I can feel the pain and loss pravin & Aunty are going through.I can only offer you my hearltfelt condolences and i sincerely hope and pray that his soul will rest in peace

Pedha Krishnaswmy

January 20, 2011

Mr.Sitaraman was my Brother-in-Law. After his marriage to my sister we had very rare occassions to meet. I recollect the rare occassions I had with him. My heartfelt condolences. He will be in my mind always.
Thampi - Alleppey - Kerala

Mohan Raj

January 20, 2011

It was wonderful to have Uncle Sita stay with us during his trips to India. He meant a lot to us. We will miss him. Yamuna and Sneha convey their love to you.
Mohan

Robert Lewis

January 16, 2011

Raj was a great neighbor and I'll miss our conversations in our back yards about yard work and the dreaded emerald ash borer. I'll miss my morning wake up call from his dog Amigo too.

Michael Chambless

January 15, 2011

I am sadden to hear of Uncle Sita's passing. We had a great visit last Christmas with some really good conversations. He had a special way of letting you know you were family with his kind words and nice gestures.

January 12, 2011

Kasthuri and Pravin, I am deeply sorry to find out the passing of my dear friend Raj. I just came back from Mexico yesterday and heard the sad news. I will remember him as a true and caring friend, a person of character, and good principles. I will always remember his company and all the good conversations we had together. Adios Amigo!

Antonio Castro-Escobar

Raj Krishnan

January 11, 2011

Aunt Kasthuri and Pravin, please accept my condolences on the loss of Uncle Sita. I loved him dearly and he will be missed. Uncle Sita always had a warm smile and I fondly remember running into a big embrace every time we visited him as a child. I am very grateful and proud to have been his nephew.

barbara krishnan

January 9, 2011

Kustori and Pravin and family I am sorry for the pain of your loss. Raj was a good brother-in-law and a helpful friend. He stepped in on occasions we needed him and we will miss him

Rani Chambless

January 8, 2011

My deepest sympathy to my dearest Aunt Kasthuri and Cousin Pravin and family on the lost of our Uncle Sita. We will miss him greatly. We had a wonderful Christmas together last year, and many good memories to remember him.

Judy Purkiss

January 7, 2011

Dear sweet Raj. He was so very kind, proud, generous, devoted, intelligent, and strong. Mere words can not embody all that you were--- beautiful heart and soul. He deeply loved his family and friends, fought hard for what he believed in, could talk to anyone about anything, and would give a stranger the shirt off his back. He left us all far too soon, but his memory will live on in our hearts forever.

John Kateel

January 6, 2011

Our prayers go out the Sitaraman family. I remember my dad and I having a great lunch with uncle in East Lansing. May God bless Pravin and his family and may auntie Kasthuri receive our blessing too.

Kevin Ketels

January 6, 2011

When I think of Raj, I think of his brilliant smile, his talent for witty conversation and love for his family. I will remember him so very fondly.

Sam & Leila Frangie

January 6, 2011

Our sincere sympathy to your family. We know Raj was a very decent, respected and very intelligent person. He loved his family. May his memory be eternal. He will forever live in your hearts. Always remember his smile and the great times.

Your friends,
Sam and Leila Frangie

Larry Perreault

January 5, 2011

I am sorry to hear of Raj's passing. I worked with Raj for a few years at MDA before he retired. I always enjoyed talking and learning from him as we worked. I think I will remember most his ready smile.

I regret that I never was able to see him play tennis, as I know it was one of his passions in life. I'm sure that he was as enthusiastic on the court as he was on the job.

I offer my condolensce to his family and friends. He will be missed but not forgotten.

January 4, 2011

Kasthuri, I just heard today about Raj's pasing and I send my condolences to you and your family. Things happen so quickly and no answers are given. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Gloria Dokum

John Zabihaylo

January 3, 2011

I am very saddened to learn of Raj's passing. I worked with Raj at MDA. I enjoyed conversing with him and his unique wit and wisdom. My deepest sympathy to the family.

Barry Menser

January 3, 2011

Raj and I worked together for his career at MDA and we were very close and stayed this way after his retirement. I will always remember him as an honest and hard working person who cared about others. The last time we talked was about a month ago but my wife and I have been gone for the last couple of weeks so we didn't get in touch for the new year like we usually did. I just got back and now I saw this.

I agree with Steve and Ron totally. Life is way too short and, I must add, the "good ones" too many times die way too early. I will miss him alot and wish his family and friends my heartfelt condolensce.

Pollyanne (Kapala) McKillop

January 3, 2011

My thoughts are with all of you. I had the honor of working with Raj at MDA in Lansing and am so sorry to hear of his passing. I have great memories of him - his smile, his passion for getting to the heart of things, his wit, and his willingness to spend the time to teach me many things, and share his knowledge and unique insights.

Ellen Speckman-Randall

January 3, 2011

I am so sorry to hear about Rajagopal's passing. My thoughts are with you and your family.

January 1, 2011

Kasthuri.....I am so sorry to learn of your husband's passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Anne Sinicropi Sigourney

December 31, 2010

So sorry to hear Raj passed.I have known the first family since they lived in Macomb County.I sometime would run into Raj while he was working mostly in the businesses that sold plants etc.We would exchange chit chat because when he worked he did not mess around.I had the pleasure to be in his company while gathering at homes of my co-workers.I always thought of him as being of brilliance and very gifted.He then moved to Lansing due to the job.
I kept contact with his family.
With Deepest Sympathy to the family
Susie Dydell

Jill Parks Montoya

December 31, 2010

Raj was a good man and he will be missed. I remember when we first met Raj and Kustrui, Prevain was maybe 3. I was just a little girl and I use to pick fights with him all of the time. He is in heaven with Mom(carolyn parks) watching over us. He will be missed. Love you guys

Steve Martin

December 31, 2010

I am deeply saddened by Raj's passing. I have known Raj since he first came to work for the Michigan Department of Agriculture. He was a good man, a very principled professional. As program managers, we often discussed issues that were important to the citizens and the environmental protection of Michigan. Raj was always committed to seeking those solutions that were best for the state and its people, and not necessarily those that were most politically expedient.

I will remember Raj most for his friendship and his sense of humor and wonderful smile. I know he also cared deeply about his family and I am sure he will be profoundly missed by each of you. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of you.

I regret that we did not keep in touch better after our respective retirements. Goodbye dear friend.

Robin Rosenbaum

December 31, 2010

I'm so sad to hear of Raj's passing. I worked and shared a cubicle wall with Raj for several years at MDA and can say that Raj responded to all things with passion and a glint in his eye! We'll miss you Raj - you left us far too soon. May you now have the peace you so deserve.

December 30, 2010

Raj was my friend and co-worker for over 40 years. We first met in Detroit working for the Michigan Department of Agriculture, both of us Plant Industry Inspectors. We parted company because of my move but reunited in 1978 in Lansing as we both became managers of department program. We worked and socialized from then on. Raj was a good, true, and honest man. He always had honesty and focused on the best for his constituency as his purpose.

Raj was a talker but he too was willing to listen. He was my friend and his passing came far too soon. I feel guilty for not being with him more than I was. Sometimes we do not realize how precious we hold people until it is to late. All we can do is try harder with those still living.
Ron Priest, East Lansing, Michigan.

Francisca Vasconcellos

December 30, 2010

May good memories and love be with all of you in the family to ease this difficult time. With deepest sympathy,
Francisca M. Vasconcellos

Regu P. Regunathan

December 30, 2010

Sitaraman was a good friend and a distant of relative of ours. He was always enthusistic about meeting and conversing with friends and relatives. He was a good host and a good guest. We did not meet as often as we would have wanted to in the last few years. I will miss him. My condolences to all those who cared for him.

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