Dr. K. Ramachandran

Goshen, NY

Our beloved spirit, Dr. Ramachandran, passed from this earth early morning August 20, 2009 in Goshen, NY. He was 76 years old.

Dr. Ramachandran was born in a small South Indian village in May of 1933. His early aspirations were to always become a doctor and that he became at the young age of 24 years old from Madras Medical College in 1957. Dr. Ram, as he was affectionately known throughout his professional life, met the only and great love of his life, his wonderful wife Baby, in a temple not very far from his home in Coimbatore, India. They had a "love" marriage - meaning of their choice, and not arranged which was totally atypical of the culture during the time. This was a trait he always had - bucking the trend. Seeking a greater life for him and his wife, he ventured to Saskatchewan, Canada to finish a medical internship in neurosurgery. Continuing on his great journey, he and Baby moved to Philadelphia, PA to finish a surgical residency in Temple University. His fascination with the mind, however, led him to pursue a psychiatric residency at John Hopkins University in Maryland. Continuing on with his professional advancement, he became an assistant professor of psychiatry at Purdue University, in Indianapolis, IN. Looking for a place to anchor his roots for his young family, they moved to Goshen, NY in 1974 and joined the Mid-Hudson Psychiatric Center. Dr. Ramachandran became the Clinical Director for the Center and served a number of communities at local clinics helping the mentally ill throughout Orange and Sullivan counties. A devoted family man, community servant - long time Goshen Rotary member - Dr. Ramachandran was most respected and beloved by his colleagues and friends everywhere.

His last moment was one of clarity, of an all-seeing eye and one of final standing in this world leaving behind his lovely wife, Baby, his son, Raja and his wife, Lata, and his other son, Anand and his wife, Staci. Dr. Ramachandran had the best of human traits - unrequited giving and joy. It is with that precious and beautiful gift, our family is blessed. We are eternally grateful for his grace, wisdom, wit and most of all, his love. Dr. Ramachandran's true and great legacy is in the joyous smiles of his three grandchildren, Deven, Ava, and Ty. Dr. Ramachandran also leaves a worthy legacy of peace, family commitment, and love to his brother, Jayachandran, and his two sisters, Susheela, and Sukuntala.

God blinked, or maybe better, winked at you tonight as you gleefully shot across the dark night sky, heading to that place of eternal rest and peace. You are a part of each member of the family and the community that you have touched lovingly for over 35 years. We love you and will miss you very much.

The family will hold a memorial service at 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., today, Friday, August 21, at the Flynn Funeral and Cremation Memorial Center at 139 Stage Road, Monroe NY 10950.

For additional information or directions to the service, please visit www.flynnfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, please kindly make a donation to any of these worthy organizations: American Cancer Society, 419 E. Main St., Middletown, NY 10940; 845-343-1863, Alzheimer's Association, 453 Route 211 East St., 301, Middletown, NY 10940; 845-342-2247, or American Heart Association, 419 East Main St., Suite 309, Middletown, NY 10940; 845-342-1116.