Mehnga Singh Sanghera

06/16/1926 - 06/26/2014

Mehnga Sanghera passed away peacefully on June 26, 2014; he was 88 years old. There was a private family service where Mehnga was surrounded by his pride and joy, his family.
Mehnga was born on June 16, 1926 in Punjab, India to Ram Singh and Bhagwan Kaur Sanghera. At the age of 22 years old, Mehnga's uncle, Seva Sanghera, brought him to the United States on a student visa in order to attend college. He attended various colleges and universities and completed two Masters degrees from UCLA in horticulture and business. After completing his education, he joined one of the largest Buick Dealerships in the United States, Bill Murphy Buick in Culver City, California. After seven years holding various positions within the Murphy organization, Mehnga was able to purchase his first dealership, Sanghera Buick GMC in Lompoc, CA. After three years he sold the dealership in Lompoc and purchased Ed Fant Buick, Opal, and Mercedes-Benz in Bakersfield and has successfully operated it for 42 years. Today the Sangera Automotive Group consists of Mercedes-Benz of Bakersfield, Sprinter of Bakersfield, Sangera Volvo, and Sangera Subaru all located in the Bakersfield Automall. In addition to his automotive interests, Mehnga successfully operated a farming business and was a real estate entrepreneur.
Survivors include his loving wife of 51 years, Hardev (Athena) Sanghera; daughter Melanie Sanghera; daughter and son in-law Joti and Damon Culbertson; daughter Raji Sanghera; his nephew, Sukhminder Sanghera (who was like a son to him) and his wife Surinder; and his grandchildren who brought great joy to his life Kirin and husband Lahky Sran, Navi Sanghera and Sabreena Sanghera; Ian Gill; Alexandria, Talia, Yasmine, and Maxwell Culbertson; Robert and Andrew Moseley; and two great-grandchildren that he adored, Ava and Aiden Sran.
A special thanks to Mike Bell, who was his dear friend, driver, and personal protector for the past seven years and Dr. Sarup Bhangoo who was his friend and physician.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kern County chapter of Juvenile Diabetes located at 2201 19th St, Bakersfield, CA. (661) 636-1305.
A celebration of life for Mehnga Sanghera will be held on July 24th at Bakersfield Country Club. The family is encouraging friends and those who were touched by Mr. Sanghera to attend.