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Keki Bhote Obituary

Bhote, Keki R. Keki Ruttonshaw Bhote, 88, of Glencoe, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on May 7, 2013 at his home in Glencoe, IL. Mr. Bhote was born on February 26, 1925 in Coimbatore, India. He was preceded in death by his beloved brother, Byram (Veera); nephew, Rattan; and his father, Ruttonshaw, and mother Meherbanoo. Survivors include his eternal love, Mehroo Keki Bhote; their four children, Safeena Bhote Cassidy, Shenaya Bhote-Siegel, Adi (Marcy Grad) Bhote and Xerxes (Amy) Bhote. He leaves behind his adored seven grandchildren, Spencer, Annabella, Lily, Garrison, Olivia, Emma and Evie; nephew, Nari (Chitra); niece, Hutoxi (Beji) Desai, and many friends and former colleagues. Keki, as he was addressed by almost everyone who knew him, came to America from India after receiving a B.S. in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Madras. He then received an M.S. in Applied Physics and Engineering Sciences from Harvard University. At the time of his death, he was president of Keki R. Bhote Associates, a consulting company specializing in Six Sigma Quality; and he consulted over a 20-year period for more than 450 companies in over 33 countries, ranging from manufacturing and service industries to universities and governments. His son, Adi, served with him in the consulting company. Prior to creating his own consulting company, Keki had a 42-year career at Motorola where he was Senior Corporate Consultant. He played an acknowledged key role in Motorola being awarded the American Management Association's Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the first corporation to do so. Keki has also authored over 20 books, including World Class Quality (a NY Times Bestseller) and The Ultimate Six Sigma, published by the American Management Association in 2002, a widely praised guide for the broad application of quality goals and applications to business operations. His numerous awards and honors include being named one of ten Outstanding Young Men, Chicago; one of six Outstanding Naturalized Citizens of Chicago; Zero Defects Award from the U.S. Department of Defense; Cecil B. Craig Award; and for his service to the United Nations the Distinguished Service Award by the UNA of America. He has been listed in the following compilations: Who's Who in the Midwest, Finance and Industry, Global Business Leaders, National Registry. Keki was named one of the New Quality Gurus of America by Quality Digest Magazine. Perhaps most important to Keki, he was acknowledged as one of the 12 Outstanding Zoroastrians in the world by the World Zoroastrian Organization. Keki was very active in civic affairs locally, regionally, nationally and throughout the world; he served as a member and President of the Glencoe School Board; Supervisor and President, Board of Trustees, New Trier Township, IL; President of United Nations of Illinois; Chairman, Council of Presidents, United Nations Association of America; Vice-President, Center for Ancient Iranian Studies; Board of Directors, World Zoroastrian Association; President, World Zoroastrian Organization, U.S. Region; Member, Board of Directors, North Shore Senior Center; and Member, Board of Directors, Residents for Effective Shelter Transitions, Chicago. He was currently a Trustee of the Village of Glencoe. An Interfaith Memorial Service was held at Winnetka Congregational Church, 725 Pine Street in Winnetka, IL on Friday, May 10, 2013 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to: Merit School of Music, 38 South Peoria Street, Chicago, IL 60607; and North Shore Senior Center, 161 Northfield Road, Northfield, IL 60093.

Published by Evanston Review from May 16 to May 22, 2013.
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Mehroo, To you and your family our sincere condolences on the loss of the very special Keki. He was such an accomplished man, with so many diverse skills and interests, and a real pleasure to know. I learned much from him. The North Shore Senior Center benefited greatly from his input and activities. He will be sorely missed and remembered with fondness and gratitude.

Barbara and Tom Wick

May 22, 2013

Remembering a great friend, community leader and business beacon ~ Keki R. Bhote. Many thanks for your compassion, guidance and wonderful memories. You are greatly missed.

Hoshang & Bonnie Karani

May 17, 2013

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