Obituary for Dr. Baldev Raj
Dr. Baldev Raj (known to all as Daddy, Papa, Papaji, Raj, or Doc) passed away from natural causes at age 85 in Sugarland, Texas on January 29, 2021. Beloved husband of Romesh Raj; dedicated and cherished father to Atul Raj (and wife Pooja Kharbanda), Alpna Arora (and husband Dr. Rajesh Arora), and Dr. Anita Raj (and husband Dr. Jay Silverman); boisterously fun and educative grandfather to Dr. Natasha Arora (and husband Abishekh Neelanshu), Shaan Arora, Sahil Arora, Chathan Raj, Devan Raj, Arsh Kharbanda, Isha Raj-Silverman, and Aviram Raj-Silverman. His legendary charm was only matched by his celebrated mind and gifting of knowledge to all in his company.
Born in 1935 in Northwest Frontier Province, British India, he came of age during the Indian partition. When he was 12, they fled their home and relocated to Himachal Pradesh, India. Though his parents had little formal education, he was able to gain entry into the local school for himself and his younger siblings by answering in English the school Principal’s questions in Hindi. His love of learning and aptitude for languages (he spoke five) led him to pursue study in the sciences. He received a PhD in botany at the illustrious Delhi University.
During his graduate training, he saw Romesh Bedi at a wedding and said, “She has a face like the moon.” She married him in 1962, and they had a son, Atul, and a daughter, Alpna. He completed his PhD and received a prestigious post-doctoral fellowship at the University of South Carolina in 1968. He became a Professor at Jackson State University in 1969, and the birth of his third child, Anita, followed. From there, Dr. Raj, with support from his wife, built small businesses and maintained his academic career in Jackson, MS for more than 45 years. He was a pioneer for our Indian American community, serving as the first President of the Indian Association of Mississippi and as a donor and leader for both the Hindu Temple and Gurdwara there. As a respected pillar of society, he served as a role model and mentor for many Jackson residents in the areas of education and business.
Throughout all of his hard work in academia, business, and community, family remained his priority. He, with his wife, filled the family with boundless and unconditional love and an unwavering commitment to their success at work and in life, as well as instilling in them values of integrity, kindness, and honor, for which they are very grateful. In 2015, he and his wife moved to Sugarland, TX so his son could care for them as they have cared for so many. However, he never stopped reaching out and teaching and loving us all, by FaceTime, phone, and even FaceBook! The numbers he has touched are countless and the impact he has had endless, for our family and beyond. His was a life with meaning and purpose. May we all follow his example.
His funeral will be held at 12 pm CST on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at Winford Funeral Home, East Chapel. https://www.winfordfunerals.com/memorials/baldev-raj/4514866/index.php?fbclid=IwAR20bSPcJu6JpejT54A4lpyZe_jAcx6LniBn-q2dkA4YK2xwv4-9ddCeomk
Due to Covid restrictions, we encourage most family and friends to participate via the video link below.
Video Link: https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/view/authorise.php?k=161221496598415&fbclid=IwAR3ZhppG2tVEQC8wGlxKZFNp02zDl3hVRDCyb6fq6XrTKMTnXdnDSQFxQz8
In lieu of flowers, we would be honored if you might donate to the Baldev Raj Academic Scholarship for underprivileged students of science, to be placed at the University of California, where he had sabbatical and where his daughter Anita is now a professor. Contributions can be made via the PayPal link below.
https://paypal.me/pools/c/8wyQt7DsP0
Born in 1935 in Northwest Frontier Province, British India, he came of age during the Indian partition. When he was 12, they fled their home and relocated to Himachal Pradesh, India. Though his parents had little formal education, he was able to gain entry into the local school for himself and his younger siblings by answering in English the school Principal’s questions in Hindi. His love of learning and aptitude for languages (he spoke five) led him to pursue study in the sciences. He received a PhD in botany at the illustrious Delhi University.
During his graduate training, he saw Romesh Bedi at a wedding and said, “She has a face like the moon.” She married him in 1962, and they had a son, Atul, and a daughter, Alpna. He completed his PhD and received a prestigious post-doctoral fellowship at the University of South Carolina in 1968. He became a Professor at Jackson State University in 1969, and the birth of his third child, Anita, followed. From there, Dr. Raj, with support from his wife, built small businesses and maintained his academic career in Jackson, MS for more than 45 years. He was a pioneer for our Indian American community, serving as the first President of the Indian Association of Mississippi and as a donor and leader for both the Hindu Temple and Gurdwara there. As a respected pillar of society, he served as a role model and mentor for many Jackson residents in the areas of education and business.
Throughout all of his hard work in academia, business, and community, family remained his priority. He, with his wife, filled the family with boundless and unconditional love and an unwavering commitment to their success at work and in life, as well as instilling in them values of integrity, kindness, and honor, for which they are very grateful. In 2015, he and his wife moved to Sugarland, TX so his son could care for them as they have cared for so many. However, he never stopped reaching out and teaching and loving us all, by FaceTime, phone, and even FaceBook! The numbers he has touched are countless and the impact he has had endless, for our family and beyond. His was a life with meaning and purpose. May we all follow his example.
His funeral will be held at 12 pm CST on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at Winford Funeral Home, East Chapel. https://www.winfordfunerals.com/memorials/baldev-raj/4514866/index.php?fbclid=IwAR20bSPcJu6JpejT54A4lpyZe_jAcx6LniBn-q2dkA4YK2xwv4-9ddCeomk
Due to Covid restrictions, we encourage most family and friends to participate via the video link below.
Video Link: https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/view/authorise.php?k=161221496598415&fbclid=IwAR3ZhppG2tVEQC8wGlxKZFNp02zDl3hVRDCyb6fq6XrTKMTnXdnDSQFxQz8
In lieu of flowers, we would be honored if you might donate to the Baldev Raj Academic Scholarship for underprivileged students of science, to be placed at the University of California, where he had sabbatical and where his daughter Anita is now a professor. Contributions can be made via the PayPal link below.
https://paypal.me/pools/c/8wyQt7DsP0