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A.R.C. Sekaran Obituary

A.R.C. Sekaran "Ji" October 20, 1920 - January 19, 2008 A resident of San Jose, CA, passed away on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at the age of 87 Ji was born in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, and had a brother and two sisters (all now deceased). As a young man he served in the British army in Burma (now known as Myanmar) during World War II, and survived a grueling 1000 mile trek on foot on the infamous Burma Road from Rangoon to Calcutta with the Japanese army at his heels. Ji worked for Air India for over 30 years, and helped grow the airline with hard work, integrity and dedication. As a charter officer for Air India in Bombay, and assistant to the Regional Director in London, he was known for taking exceptional care of his customers, who ranged from common persons to cabinet members. He was honored for his services by the Queen of England. After working in New York for a decade after retirement from Air India, Ji moved to the Bay Area, where he continued his passion for supporting many students through grants and scholarships both in the US and in India. He was devoted to his family and loyal to his friends, and would ardently debate global politics and finance while giving meticulous advice to the many students he chose to mentor. He lived a rich and full life of giving. Ji is survived by Dr. Uma Sekaran, his wife of 65 years; his son Ramesh Sekar and his wife Usha, grandson Kiren and granddaughter Anisha. Ji's family in the Bay Area include his de facto daughter Sudha Pennathur and her husband, Ed, Ji's niece Rukmani and her husband Ron Das. Sridhar is also like a son to Ji, and stayed close even after he left the Bay Area. Balaji and Arun Kumar are special grand-nephews whose educational endeavors he sponsored. His loving extended family is too large to detail, but includes Perianna, Manni, Babu, Ramu, Raji, PRS, Saroj, Geeta, Anita, Payyu, Siddarth, Vishnu, Usha Kris, Sandhya, Veena, Sushiela, Venkataraman, Vembu; their children, spouses and grandchildren. He has touched their lives in significant ways, and all will miss his cheerful and commanding presence.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Jan. 27, 2008.

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3 Entries

Nayan Ashar

February 10, 2008

Sekaran Uncle, as I always called him, was very dear to my heart right from my childhood. I was very fortunate to be his next door neighbor back in Mumbai, India. As I grew and came to USA as a graduate student, he became a mentor to me. While his stay in New York, I visited him and stayed with him for few days and learnt that he was 67 back then still working from 5am to 8pm. He donated every penny of his earnings to sponsor students all over the world. My wife and I are very thankful to him for cosigning part of my wife's student loan. My destiny brought me to silicon valley later and coincidently Sekaran uncle also came to retire in Concord and eventually in Campbell. I was truly blessed to have his company last decade again almost like my neighbor back in Mumbai.
Sekaran Uncle, was a great man. He devoted good 25-30 years of his life for benefit of students and youths without making much commotion about it. Anytime I would call him, he will start with words,"Hello Sekaran...". Those words will always hum in my mind.
I miss you dear Sekaran Uncle. May god bless your sacred soul.

Krishnamurthy Balasubramanian

January 30, 2008

I have moved with ARC sekaran Uncle "Ji",after tne marriage of my daughter with his grand nephew .We met in India and in the USA.He was a very loving and caring person. He used his great wisdom and experience to help others

Joanne Meads

January 30, 2008

Peace and blessings to Uma and her family at this time of change. I thank God for the wonderful memories of George's hospitality and warm welcome everytime I visited them. Friends will never be forgotten.

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