Ram Saran Arora

In Loving Memory of 

Ram Saran Arora

(Dec. 6, 1937–Dec. 22, 2024)

It is with profound sorrow that we share the loss of our beloved father, Ram Saran Arora. He was surrounded by love and family at the time of his passing.

Our father was born in undivided India, the second child and first son of Leela Vanti and Kundan Lal Arora. He was deeply loved and respected by his nine sisters and brothers. He grew up with his paternal grandparents until about age eight.

Our father lived a life defined by hard work and a great love of learning. 

He was exceptionally bright and despite scarce resources, excelled academically, topping the Tenth Grade Board Examination in the entire state of Uttar Pradesh. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Banaras Hindu University (now IIT-BHU) in 1959.

Our father and beloved late mother, Adarsh Kumari Arora, married in 1964. After the birth of their first child, a precious daughter, they immigrated to the United States and settled in Michigan. While working full-time as an electrical engineer at Chrysler Corporation, our father continued his studies in engineering and also earned an MBA. In the 1970’s, two more blessings arrived, a son and a daughter.

We will always remember our dad’s laughter, wisdom, and advice (aka, lectures =). He held us in his lap, carried us in his arms, and loved us. When we were small and he was shaving, he would put a dollop of shaving cream on our faces and make us laugh with delight. Walking with him and holding his hand, we gained a great appreciation for nature. He took us to museums and shared with us the wonders of science. He instilled in us the importance of hard work. 

He taught us how to ride our bikes and later how to drive a car. He would always ask us kids which driving routes we were planning to take and then modify them to minimize the left turns. Our cousin hilariously recounted, “I remember thinking, ‘But, Mamaji, if I only take right turns, won’t I just end up driving in a circle?’”

Our dad supported us through each and every academic pursuit. And when we unwisely waited “until the eleventh hour” to finish a project, he was there for us and helped us through anyway.

Our dad found tremendous joy in math and physics, and when we came to him for help, he would cheerfully say, “Bring me a piece of pencil and a paper.” This was always followed by, “Let’s start at the big-i-ning.” Through his patient and thorough teaching, we achieved remarkable clarity and understanding. 

Our dad’s tireless hard work, the great value he placed on education, and his tremendous support afforded us opportunities and experiences never available to him growing up. The education and financial independence of girls and women were especially important to him. 

Many family members were able to change their life trajectories due to our father’s help—immigrating to the United States, accessing vital opportunities, and building financial independence. With his generosity and support, so many of us have been able to attain financial security, enjoy a wonderful quality of life, and provide invaluable opportunities for our children. Our father’s profound impact will be felt for generations. 

Our dad was forever thinking, reading, and learning. He was incredibly hard-working and active, holding multiple patents, building several businesses, and in his later years, writing several books.

Our beloved father is survived by his three loving children, six cherished grandchildren, and five precious great-grandchildren. He is also greatly missed by his five surviving siblings and many dear nieces, nephews, and extended-family members. 

Although we miss our father’s physical presence on Earth tremendously, he is always with us. We are surrounded by his love and we know he is shining down on us, saying, “God bless you and have a happy long life.” 

We love you so much, Dad, and we know one day we will be reunited with you and Mom and hold each other again.

A service to honor our father was held on December 24, 2024 in Michigan. A ceremony to remember him and return his ashes to Mother Earth will follow later this year. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in our father’s memory to Action Against Hunger are deeply cherished. 

www.actionagainsthunger.org