Kandala Rao Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kandala Nageswara Rao, a beloved husband, devoted father, and esteemed scientist, who left us on February 11, 2026. Born in India, he embarked on a remarkable journey to the United States, where he made significant contributions to his field and enriched the lives of those around him.
Nageswara Rao, was a man of deep intellect and curiosity, dedicating his life to the pursuit of scientific knowledge. His passion for discovery was matched only by his love for classical Indian music, which brought him immense joy and connection to his roots. He was an avid collector of Hindu sacred texts, reflecting his profound spirituality and appreciation for his heritage.
An enthusiastic traveler, he explored the world with an open heart and adventurous spirit, forging connections with people from diverse cultures. His tight-knit group of friends was a source of joy, laughter, and shared experiences that he cherished deeply.
As a devoted husband, Nageswara Rao was a pillar of strength and love. He supported his wife and family with unwavering commitment, creating a nurturing environment filled with warmth and laughter. As a father, he was a guiding light, always encouraging his children to pursue their dreams and instilling in them the values of hard work and compassion.
Nageswara Rao leaves behind a legacy of love, curiosity, and kindness that will continue to inspire all who knew him. He is survived by his children, Raja and Geeta, and a community of friends and family who will forever hold him in their hearts.
A memorial service will be held on February 17, 2026 at Hursen Funeral home at 11:30am.
Join Zoom Meeting 10:30 am
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Rest in peace, dear Nageswara Rao. Your love and wisdom will remain with us always.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
Krishna Kumar
February 17, 2026
I am sorry to note that my eldest brother's brother in law, and a long time friend of mine, Dr. Kandala V. Nageswar Rao is no more. He was long-time Senior Toxicologist at IITRI ( IIT Research).
I had known him for over 75 years since Aug 1950 when my eldest brother married his sister. We had been friends ever since. Whenever I used to meet a biochemist I used to drop his name, and that of Dr Rama Sarma of the biochemistry department at IISC, and they would immediately say they knew them both.
Dr. Nageswar Rao spent his entire professional career in the development of drugs for cancer and infectious disease. He was a prominent scientist at IITRI for nearly 20 years. His work was related to drugs for cancer of various types. Although Dr. Nageswar Rao retired many years ago, his work continues to be cited in the scientific literature.
Dr. Nageswar Rao used to be very knowledgeable, and was full of exciting stories and jokes to entertain friends. Whenever we visited our son in Chicago he and his wife Padma used to pick us up, take us out for lunch and engage us for the rest of the day. Padma's younger brother Nagaraj used to be my childhood friend, in Guntur.
Even as late as three months ago he talked to me over the phone for a long time about Telugu movies and songs and told me this joke from my uncle Krishna Murthy Garu, former Professor of Physics at the Presidency Coollege, Madras. KVN Rao was visiting my uncle in Chennai and was going through his books and was turning pages of a Text Book of Physics by a famous author. My uncle asked him to turn to a particular page and line and read the printed sentence. It read " this is totally wrong". Then my uncle explained to him that the book was gifted to him by the author, not knowing that my uncle was the reviewer, and that comment was made by my uncle, and the author and the publisher went ahead and published the book " including my uncle's comment"!
My condolences to Raja and Geeta for your loss, but cherish his memories. I regret my inability to see you both today.
We miss you Nageswar Rao garu. May God bless your Soul and Rest in Peace.
T Krishna Kumar
Retired Professor
Indian Statistical Institute
Bangalore
Currently at Rockville, MD. USA
February 17, 2026
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