Obituary for Elumalai Govindarajan
Our dad, grand dad and beloved husband of 50 years, Elumalai Govindarajan, fondly known as Prof. Geeyee (from his initials), was born on 30th September 1947 in Kancheepuram, state of Tamil Nadu, India, to Govindarajan Manickam, an elementary school teacher and Mrs. Vedammal Muthumuniappan, who spun silk yarn for weavers. He was the first son, who followed three elder sisters. He also has a younger brother.
Coming from a poor financial background, he was a trailbrazer academician even though he was the first college graduate in his family. He went on to complete double Masters of Arts (in Economics and History), Masters in Philosophy (M.Phil) and Literature (M.Lit). He was tenured directly as an Assistant Professor of Economics at the age of 26, in Madras University. Over the course of next 33 years he went on educate countless students in numerous colleges and schools. Known for his lucid style and distinct booming voice, he was hugely popular amongst his students and regarded highly by his peers.
Dad and Mom shared a special 50 year long relationship, filled with mutual care and love. Dad never needed an invitation or reminder to do any chores around the house and mom was always happily there for him, caring for him and indulging him with his favorite dishes. The emptiness she feels with his departure can be made bearable only by cherishing her memories of him and their life together.
Life threw him a curveball in his 60s… he surmounted tough personal struggles, which competed with his achievements as an educator. Dad was diagnosed as with Stage 4 Lung Cancer in November 2015, at the age of 68. For a life long non-smoker, teetotaler, vegetarian and avid walker who was very fit and health conscious, it was a devastating diagnosis. Yet, he never languished in despair. He instead focused on his cancer battle for nearly 7 years, armed with a military discipline and cheerful attitude. Thanks to his excellent medical care team, support of his caring wife, family and friends, he was able to beat all odds with a good quality of life, given his poor prognosis. Being a gutsy old pop, he went through multiple treatment modalities including numerous chemo cycles and radiation therapies.
Though he was taken away from us suddenly and in a hurry, the qualities and virtues he stood for will never be erased from our memories and his contributions as an educator can never be underrated. He will always be known by everyone he met as an honest, hard working, modest, loving, caring, sincere, gritty, strong and passionate human being.
Family of Professor GE.
Coming from a poor financial background, he was a trailbrazer academician even though he was the first college graduate in his family. He went on to complete double Masters of Arts (in Economics and History), Masters in Philosophy (M.Phil) and Literature (M.Lit). He was tenured directly as an Assistant Professor of Economics at the age of 26, in Madras University. Over the course of next 33 years he went on educate countless students in numerous colleges and schools. Known for his lucid style and distinct booming voice, he was hugely popular amongst his students and regarded highly by his peers.
Dad and Mom shared a special 50 year long relationship, filled with mutual care and love. Dad never needed an invitation or reminder to do any chores around the house and mom was always happily there for him, caring for him and indulging him with his favorite dishes. The emptiness she feels with his departure can be made bearable only by cherishing her memories of him and their life together.
Life threw him a curveball in his 60s… he surmounted tough personal struggles, which competed with his achievements as an educator. Dad was diagnosed as with Stage 4 Lung Cancer in November 2015, at the age of 68. For a life long non-smoker, teetotaler, vegetarian and avid walker who was very fit and health conscious, it was a devastating diagnosis. Yet, he never languished in despair. He instead focused on his cancer battle for nearly 7 years, armed with a military discipline and cheerful attitude. Thanks to his excellent medical care team, support of his caring wife, family and friends, he was able to beat all odds with a good quality of life, given his poor prognosis. Being a gutsy old pop, he went through multiple treatment modalities including numerous chemo cycles and radiation therapies.
Though he was taken away from us suddenly and in a hurry, the qualities and virtues he stood for will never be erased from our memories and his contributions as an educator can never be underrated. He will always be known by everyone he met as an honest, hard working, modest, loving, caring, sincere, gritty, strong and passionate human being.
Family of Professor GE.