Dr. Ragwinder (“Ravi”) Kaur Dhindsa died peacefully in Anne Arundel County, Maryland on April 2, 2021 at the age of 84.
Dr. Dhindsa is survived by her sons: Dr. Hardeep S. Dhindsa, Dr. Harinder S. Dhindsa, and Ranjit S. Dhindsa, Esq.; daughters-in-law: Shilpa and Rachel; brothers: Gurbax. S. Sekhon and Manmohan S. Sekhon; sister: Jaswant K. Lidhar; and six grandchildren: Ryan, Kyle, Justin, Isabelle, Dylan and Nicole. She is preceded in death by her parents, Harjit Kaur Sekhon, and Badan Singh Sekhon, her brother, Harinderjeet Singh Sekhon, and her nephew, Vikram Singh Sekhon.
Dr. Ravi Dhindsa was born on January 29, 1937 in Kalka, India, a small town near Chandigarh in Punjab. She grew up in Saharanpur and while there completed two degrees in Hindi literature during high school. Her intellectual prowess and curiosity led her to earn a series of additional degrees in higher education including a Bachelor of Arts Degree at JBS College in Saharanpur, a Master’s Degree in Political Science at Agra University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Punjab University in Chandigarh, a Master’s Degree in Education and Master’s Degree in Sociology at Montana State University, and a Ph.D. in Sociology at University of Illinois. Along the way, in 1961, she married Dharam Singh Dhindsa. While pursuing her studies and working part-time at various institutions including University of Illinois, Portland State University, and Lewis & Clark College in Oregon, she raised her three children with immeasurable, unconditional love.
In 1975, the family moved to Rockville, Maryland. After several part-time teaching gigs, including at the University of Maryland, Dr. Dhindsa ultimately accepted a full-time job as Professor of Sociology at Anne Arundel Community College, where she worked for 34 years. Throughout her career, Dr. Dhindsa was invited to speak extramurally at national conferences, community institutions, and the United States Naval Academy.
Despite her incredible intellectual achievements, Ravi was always curious about others and this led to her ability to empathize with everyone, including her students. Accordingly, it is no surprise that on multiple occasions Dr. Dhindsa won the outstanding faculty award, reflecting her ability to touch the lives of her students on a daily basis. The Capital Newspaper quoted her students describing her as “an educator of the highest caliber” who was “a warm, generous instructor.”
Ravi’s resilience and devotion were manifest in her willingness to commute 110 miles a day not only for her love of teaching, but to help provide a better life for her family. With inexhaustible energy and unyielding resolve, Ravi instilled in her children the self-confidence and self-esteem to fully realize their educational and human potential. Leading by example, Ravi was a pioneer as a professional Indian-American woman who transcended all barriers that dared confront her.
Professionally, Dr. Dhindsa basked in the joy of teaching her students and inspiring them to achieve their intellectual potential. Her primary areas of pedagogy were sociology, diversity, and marriage & family. Students frequently sought her advice and counsel on myriad issues. She was beloved by all who knew her and even those who transiently met her. Her passion for learning, education, and health was insatiable.
Personally, she enjoyed travel, including Anne Arundel Community College trips to Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. She also enjoyed visiting with her siblings in England, Wisconsin, Alabama, and New Mexico. Further, she enjoyed traveling with her son Ron to Hawaii, New York, Florida, England, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and numerous trips to Reno to visit her son Hardeep and his family and to Richmond to visit her son Harinder and his family. Her grandchildren will all agree that their Grandma loved to visit with them as often as she could and loved them with all her heart and soul.
In her idealistic youth, Ravi painted a number of exquisite (mostly romantic) paintings. Her erudition encompassed not only the arts and intellectual endeavors but also physical wellbeing. Until last year when stopped by the pandemic, she regularly went to the gym for 3 hours anywhere from 3-5 times a week. Ravi often shut down the local LA Fitness gym at 11 pm doing the treadmill, elliptical machine and various weight machines.
Her three sons fondly remember her as the best mother one could imagine, who nurtured and fostered their growth and success in every facet of their lives. Ravi strongly believed in the principles of the Sikh religion and embodied them in her spirit and actions. She was spiritual and believed in all religions that promote love, compassion, and fundamental human decency. She described herself as a believer of all religions.
Ravi’s heart was infinite and pure. Her love of her family was unfathomably deep. She was relentless in her determination even under adverse and ostensibly insurmountable circumstances that confronted her, particularly early in life. She savored every moment of life and took nothing for granted. Ravi’s spirit was robust and her wisdom profound. She exuded optimism, compassion, empathy, and love.
All are welcome to view the livestreamed celebration on-line of Dr. Ravi Dhindsa’s life scheduled for 12:00 Noon on Saturday, April 3. 12:00-12:20 viewing of photographs and some of her paintings followed by a short service from approximately 12:20-1:00 p.m. Due to COVID 19 and Ravi’s wishes, in-person attendance will be limited to family.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers and in honor of Ravi’s lifelong devotion to the poor and less fortunate, please consider contributing to a local food bank in her memory.
Read More
