Jagdish Lal "Jack" Nanda

1933 - 2025

Jagdish "Jack" Lal Nanda

February 1, 1933 - January 28, 2025

With a heavy heart, the family of Jagdish "Jack" L. Nanda announce his passing on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

Born in 1933 in India and the eldest of six children, he came to the United States in 1957 to pursue his PhD in Mathematics at Indiana University. Upon completion of his degree, he began doing statistical research at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base outside Dayton, OH.

He returned to India in 1963 and married Sneh, his wife of 37 years. Wanting to pursue a career in education, he came back to the United States to the Mathematics Department at Eastern Illinois University in 1964 after the birth of his son, Ranjeev. Sneh and Ranjeev joined him in Charleston early the following year and his daughter Rettu was born. He retired from Eastern in 2001. He continued to teach part-time during the Fall semester for a few years and could be seen on campus supporting the women's volleyball team or enjoying performances at the Doudna Fine Arts Center.

He lived in Charleston for 45 years making many friends and happy memories on 6th Street Circle and in Heritage Woods. He was an avid gardener who could tell you when and how to plant just about anything. He enjoyed cultivating his roses, always bringing Sneh the first rose of the season with a proud and loving smile. His abilities on the grill were amazing, knowing when to put each person's steak on the grill and taking it off at just the right time. Duplicate bridge was a lifelong passion of his. Along with his wife, they played in several bridge clubs in Charleston, IL and Orange Beach, AL. They also traveled to many tournaments around the country. He earned Emerald Life Master status and continued to play on his iPad until his passing.

For the past few years, he was able to spend his summers with Ranjeev enjoying the Northshore of Chicago and winters on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. While in Illinois, he was able to spend time with his granddaughter Leigh and grand-dog, Pebbles and enjoy walks near Lake Michigan. In Alabama, he would also be seen walking in and around the building and enjoyed playing poker with the fellas every Monday.

Preceding him in death are his mother and father, Hira Devi and Anant Ram Nanda, his wife Sneh, and all 5 of his siblings.

He is survived by his son, Ranjeev Nanda of Wilmette, IL, daughter Rettu Nanda (Eric) of Orange Beach, AL, nephew Sumeet Nanda (Monica) of Gurugram India, niece Preeti Grover (Parmeet) of Duluth, GA, nephew Ravi Mohan (Toral) of Atlanta, GA, granddaughters Macy Blyslkal (Josh) and Leigh Nanda, grandnieces and nephews Rohan, Drishti, Siddharth, Meghna and Leela.

Jack loved people and people loved him. He once commented how he was always amazed at the kindness of others towards him. That is because he always approached people with his heart, a genuine curiosity about them, and an innate ability to share his knowledge. Without him realizing it, class was always in session with Jack whether it be him sharing his life experiences in India, the finer points of advanced calculus, or a tidbit of local history. When you met him, you always came away knowing more. He will be profoundly missed.

The family wishes to express overwhelming gratitude to all those who were there for him and our family through the years. The family will hold a small private farewell. A celebration of life will be announced later.

To honor Jagdish's memory, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the S. L. Nanda Math and Science Scholarship. The scholarship was established to award the most deserving Charleston High School graduate, annually with intentions of pursuing a STEM degree at EIU.

EIU Foundation.

860 W. Lincoln Ave.

Charleston, IL 61920.

Note in the memo: S.L. Nanda Math and Science Scholarship.

Or make your gift online: https://www.eiu.edu/giving.php, select "Other Gifts" and note in the Special Instructions: S.L. Nanda Math and Science Scholarship.

Arrangements by:

Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes and Crematory.

2103 W. 1st Street.

Gulf Shores, AL 36542.

251-405-2601.

www.wolfefuneralhomes.com.