Mammen Puthenveetil Mammen

Dr. P.M. Mammen died peacefully at his home in San Diego, California on June 5, 2017 at the age of 87. He was the last survivor among the ten children of P.E. Mammen and Rachel Mammen of Kumbanad, Kerala, India. His childhood was spent in Kumbanad and Johor, Malaysia. After receiving his B.Sc. degree from St. Johns College, Agra, India, he was recruited in 1954 to teach at the Indian Public School, Arusha, Tanzania. In 1962, he returned to Kerala to marry the former Saramma Oommen.

As newlyweds, they both taught at the Ilboro Secondary School, Arusha, Tanzania, run by American missionaries. In 1963, their first son arrived to whom they gave the Swahili name, Anza. In 1965, they emigrated to the U.S. to further their education in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He earned his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania while Saramma earned her Master’s degree in Library Science from Villanova University. In 1968, their second son, Anil, was born.

In 1967-69, Mammen taught at the Penn Charter School in Germantown, Pennsylvania, while pursuing his PhD dissertation. In 1970, the family moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania, where Mammen taught Political Science and International Relations at Cedar Crest College and Moravian College. He particularly enjoyed leading study-abroad programs in India where his students were exposed to Indian culture and met government leaders, including Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He ended his career by owning and operating a small family business in Allentown.

Known fondly as “Mathukutty” or “Baba”, he always prioritized family first. He devoted his retirement to his grandchildren, Divya “Sarah”, Joshua and Jacob who were the light of his life. Baba and Saramma cared for their grandchildren while accompanying Anza during his six-year Army tour in Thailand.

Mammen always had a great passion for government and politics. He was known for leading lively discussions about the topics of the day, the importance of promoting nonviolence, advancing social justice, and holding the powerful accountable. A man of deep Christian faith, he was committed to strengthening the ministry of his beloved Mar Thoma Church in India and the U.S.

A loving son, brother, uncle, husband, father and grandfather, he now rests with the Lord after a long life of service. He is survived by his devoted wife for 55 years, their two sons, three grandchildren, ten nieces, and nine nephews.

Arrangements under the direction of El Camino Memorial - Sorrento Valley, San Diego, CA.