Dr. Prem Bajaj

1932 - 2021

Dr. Prem Bajaj
October 6, 1932 - December 30, 2021
Wichita, Kansas - Dr. Prem N. Bajaj, 89, passed away on December 30, 2021.
Born in Ferozepur, India on October 6, 1932, Prem was a lifelong learner. He moved to the United States in 1965 with $50 in his pocket, completing his graduate studies in mathematics at Case Western Reserve University. He saved enough money to bring his wife, Raj and three children from Punjab, India to Wichita, Kansas, where they welcomed twins in 1969.
After receiving his Ph.D., Dr. Bajaj took a mathematics teaching position at Wichita State University. At WSU, Dr. Bajaj taught thousands of students during his 33 years of service to the University. He was very involved in the WSU academic community: he founded the India Association of Greater Wichita, the Indian Students Association, and the Association of Hindu Students in America.
At the time the Bajajs moved to Wichita, there were seven or eight families of Indian origin in Wichita. "Papa Ji" looked for Indian names in the phone book, and whenever a new Indian family came to Wichita, a get-together was held to introduce them to others. Dr. Bajaj helped build a sense of community among South Asians within Wichita.
After retiring in 2001, he became a committed volunteer, serving on numerous community boards including AARP, Kansas Authors Club, and Habitat for Humanity. He was very proud to be elected president of the Kansas Authors Club, and he received a service dedication award. Dr. Bajaj delivered Meals on Wheels and assisted in tax preparation for senior citizens. When he wasn't volunteering, he kept busy playing racquetball, bridge, and checkers.
Prem was generous in saying "Thank you" and quick with notes of encouragement to family members, colleagues, students, and friends. He did not let the past bother him, and he believed in living in the present. He would say, "It is alright" even in seemingly unhappy situations. Now that he has passed, his loyal friends and loving family know that, "It is alright."
Dr. Bajaj is survived by his wife of 65 years, Raj Bajaj; children Ravi Bajaj (Jill), Arvind Bajaj (Sheila), Ajay Bajaj (Lyn), Anita Bajaj Newton (Dean); grandchildren Brian, Kevin, Matthew, Ashley, Sophie, John, Cameron, Anna, Spencer, and Sydney. Prem was preceded in death by his son Ashok Bajaj and daughter-in-law Trish Bajaj.
A service honoring his life will be at 11:00 am, Sunday, January 9, 2022, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary, 6555 East Central. All are welcome, but the family requests masks be worn. The funeral service will be live streamed and available to access through Dr. Bajaj's obituary listing at www.dlwichita.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be made in the form of a donation to The Bajaj Family Scholarship Fund intended to support need-based graduate students attending WSU https://foundation.wichita.edu/memorials-honors/. Alternatively, checks can be mailed to WSU Foundation, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS noting that the intended use is The Bajaj Family Scholarship.