Murali Sundaram Obituary

Dr. Murali Sundaram passed away peacefully at home in Las Vegas, Nevada, surrounded by his children and grandchildren on July 21, 2023. He was 79 years old.

Murali was best known for his distinguished career in musculoskeletal radiology, where he not only left a lasting impact but also showed tremendous dedication to mentoring others in the field. During his 50-plus year career as a radiologist and professor of radiology, he worked at St. Louis University as chief of diagnostic radiology, the Mayo Clinic, and the Cleveland Clinic. In addition to his clinical work, he published more than 330 peer-reviewed journal articles, authored four books, held 135 visiting professorships, and was editor of Skeletal Radiology for 25 years. As deeply as he loved his work, Murali would always say that the philosophy of Vedanta and his lifelong meditation practice is what guided and sustained him.

Many people described Murali as the quintessential "gentleman," but as his son Gautam often noted, the more accurate description was a "gentle man." Murali moved through the world, presuming the best about everyone he encountered. He was genuinely interested in striking up a conversation with anyone, had a profound generosity of spirit and a knack for seeing and valuing people for who they were. For many, Murali was the best-read and most widely traveled person they had ever met, and they marveled whenever he knew something about their hometown, country of origin, favorite poet, sports hero, musician, or more. For his children and his grandchildren, he was not only a human encyclopedia but an enthusiastic cheerleader and constant source of love and support. They inherited his love of sports, ocean swimming, Scrabble, reading, travel, and good conversation.

Murali was born to Seetha and T.A. Sundaram in Colombo, Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) on August 22, 1943. He spent his early school years on the island, developing a great fondness for swimming and a keen love of and talent for cricket. Due to growing civil unrest, his parents sent him to Chennai, India, to stay with family friends and attend high school at Madras Christian College in Chennai, India. He became well known in India as a junior table tennis champion, ranking as India's junior no. 3 and Ceylon's junior no. 1. Murali continued to play cricket at Loyola College, Guntur Medical School, and even during his training at Royal Manchester Infirmary in Manchester, England. Only once he landed in the United States would he retire his cricket bat for a tennis racket.

Although Murali ultimately succumbed to his brain cancer, he stayed active until his final days. He swam daily for a decade post-diagnosis and spent his last few years taking long walks daily. He attended his last exercise class just a week before he passed away.

Murali is survived by his daughters, Aparna Sundaram (Carlos Reyes) and Priya Sundaram; his four grandchildren Coda Max, Lyla Simonelli, Rohan Reyes Sundaram, and Rahul Reyes Sundaram; and his brothers, Shankar Sundaram and SV Ramanan. He was predeceased by his beloved son Gautam Sundaram.

Murali was a loyal friend, supportive colleague, devoted teacher, loving father, and doting grandfather. He took particular joy in championing his grandchildren and celebrating their achievements, big or small. They will miss their Peepa dearly.

The family will hold a private memorial at a later date. Donations may be made to the Gautam Sundaram Memorial Fund at John Burroughs School (www.jburroughs.org/muralisundaram) or the Vedanta Society of St. Louis (https://vedantastl.org/donate/). To contact his family or share a memory, please visit www.msundaram.com.

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

Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch from Aug. 7 to Aug. 8, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Murali Sundaram

11 Entries

Ann Smith

July 20, 2024

Dear Aparna and Priya:

I just recently, learned of your beloved father´s passing.

I am so saddened by the loss of such kind, brilliant, gentle, man.

You must be wondering who I am. Well, although you were too young to remember, I served as his personal secretary, at Saint Louis University, from 1983-1987; thus was a front-row witness to the depths of his love and devotion to you, his daughters and your brother. Though contact was infrequent, it was obvious that his tremendous love and devotion had overflowed to his grandchildren, as they entered his world.

I write on werk 52 of his passing with tomorrow being the anniversary. I wish I had another way of contacting you, but since I do not, this note, which I realize you may never see, must suffice.

May you be comforted in knowing you were and are still loved by a wonderful father.

With my own great affection,
Ann Smith

Thomas Hill, M.D.

December 16, 2023

Murali was a Radiology Professor at St. Louis University during my Residency 1979 to 1983.
His intellect and his genteel manner, approachability and kindness were exemplary.
I enjoyed keeping in touch with him through the years by phone. I extend my sincere condolences to his family, who have lost a treasure of a person.

RAMARAJA YALAVARTHI

October 3, 2023

Dr. Murali Sundaram was a legend even during medical school days in Guntur, where I was many years junior to him. I remember him to be very astute and agile, famous for his prowess at everything, from cricket to medicine. He was considered a gentleman and a scholar. He was very soft spoken, well mannered and always well dressed. He certainly was my role model and someone I looked up to as an iconic figure. My heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Dr. Murali Sundaram.

Michael Forney M.D.

August 23, 2023

There was not a single day that Dr. Sundaram failed to astound me with his amazing knowledge of medicine, the world, and his giant heart. We always laughed at how definitive Dr. Sundaram could be when the rest of us were left completely bewildered by a difficult case. It was comical, but he was always genuine and humble. He cared about each one of us individually, always providing sage advice to allow us to make the best of our abilities. I consider myself extremely lucky to have learned and worked alongside such a special human being. Dr. Sundaram was truly a genius, which was evident through his unparalleled career, but to anyone who interacted with him, his genius was even more powerful through his understanding of and caring for his fellow human beings. I will miss Dr. Sundaram, but I know that he lives on through all the kindness and knowledge that he brought the world.

Karen Beasley

August 15, 2023

I am a technologist at St. Louis University and remember Dr. Sundaram well. Calm and quiet , always willing to take time to answer my questions.

August 11, 2023

May your memories give you peace and comfort of your loved one. Words fall short of expressing my sorrow for the loss of your loved one. May GOD be with you all during this difficult time. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we have faith that Jesus died and rose again, so too God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in death through Jesus.

Dev Mahadevan

August 10, 2023

I remember playing cricket with Murali in school, on the school team and his distinctive batting style. We last met in California when he was visiting a number of years ago. He was, indeed, a gentleman and a gentle man.

Usha

August 9, 2023

My heart aches to read this beautiful tribute to my uncle and one of the staunchest supporters of my own very different path. He was truly Good and will be missed every day by those who knew and loved him.

Margaret Wilson

August 8, 2023

I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Sundaram´s passing. I had the pleasure of working with him at St Louis University as a Medical Transcriptionist. He always had a smile and was willing to assist with a dictation problem or merely to chat. Again my condolences to his family.

Linda Toppins

August 8, 2023

I offer the deep sympathy for the lost of your loved one. I hope 1Thessalonians 4:14 will offer you hope and comfort.

Scott A. Martin, MD

August 8, 2023

I am saddened to learn of Murali's passing. During my tenure at St. Louis University School of Medicine (1979-81) I thoroughly enjoyed my association with him. I always delighted in our discussions and the love of learning we both shared. We co-authored several published case reports. His skill at diagnostic radiology and the information he provided was essential to me in the pathologic diagnosis of bone neoplasms.

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