Kuchipudi Venkata Rathnam

1945 - 2022

K. V. Rathnam passes to his rest.

In 1945, India started final negation for independence from the British empire. On July 16 of that same year in Nuzvid, Andhra Pradesh, India, Raja Rathnam and Kanthamma Kuchipudi celebrated the birth of their son, Kuchipudi Venkata Rathnam, or KV as he was affectionally called.

During his preteen years, KV and his friends in his village, Azariahpeta, looked forward to spending Saturday afternoons with Ella May Stoneburner, an American missionary nurse at nearby Giffard Memorial Hospital. The village children learned Bible stories and Christian songs from Miss Stoneburner. Noting KV's keen interest for learning, Miss Stoneburner convinced KV's parents to send him to a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) school, which she graciously financed.

While travelling by train to the SDA school in Narasapur, India, KV met Sumathi Gnanamuthu who was heading to the same school with her older sister. After completing high school, KV headed to Spicer Memorial College, India. His heart, though, was in Nuzvid where Sumathi was enrolled at the SDA nursing school. Thus, he soon transferred to Nuzvid. In 1967, after completion of their nursing degrees, KV and Sumathi were married.

Immediately following their wedding, the newlyweds accepted nursing positions at the Scheer Memorial Hospital in Banepa, Nepal. Subsequently, KV and Sumathi served in several Adventist schools in India as teachers and school nurses. During this time, the couple were blessed with two children, Venson and Vineesha.

In 1972, with the help of Dara Paul, a childhood friend, KV emigrated to the United States. He settled in Berrien Springs, and accepted a job at Memorial Hospital in St. Joseph. A few months later, Sumathi, Venson and Vineesha joined him in Berrien Springs. Later, Hannama, his mother-in-law, joined them and lived with them until her death.

KV was deeply committed to his church and his community. He was a member of the Pioneer Memorial Church. KV founded "Let's Get Involved," a non-profit organization which provides AIDS education and education for poor and underprivileged children in India. He also helped in developing the Southwest Michigan India Association (SMIA), which provides local South Asians a venue to socialize and celebrate their heritage.

KV worked at Memorial (Lakeland) Hospital for 37 years before retiring. KV had a passion for art and photography and after retirement he operated Papachi Art Gallery in St. Joseph.

On Nov. 14, 2022, KV breathed his last breath and sleeps in Jesus whom he loved and worshipped to the very end of his life. He is survived by his loving wife, Sumathi, children: Venson (Kim) and Vineesha; granddaughter, Surehka; and a host of relatives and friends.

Known for his humor, KV often said, "don't cry for me at my passing but tell my jokes." Although he passed away, his legacy of benevolence, goodwill, congeniality, and spiritual commitment will be perpetuated by his family, friends, and the children he educated in India.