Sastry Venkata Pappu

Sastry was a Physicist by profession. He received his Master of Science degree in Applied Physics from Andhra University, India, followed by a Post-Master's Diploma in Nuclear Physics from the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics in Calcutta. He began his research career at the National Physical Laboratory in New Delhi, later moving to the United States, continuing his work in solid-state physics at the University of Illinois in Urbana- Champaign and then at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts

He also served as senior faculty at Karnatak University, Dharwad, India and then received his DSc in Physics from Andhra University based on his independent research work carried out in the United States. He then returned to the United States, moving to Tucson, Arizona where he carried out research in Laser Optics at the Optical Sciences Center at University of Arizona for a few years. Then moving back to India, he worked as a senior faculty in the Electrical Communication Department at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

In 1990, he returned to the United States working at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, McDonnell Douglas, and later at University of Missouri. He eventually retired to devote time to his family.

Over his career, Sastry conducted research in solid-state physics, materials science, lasers and holography, publishing more than 100 papers in leading international journals. In recognition of his contributions to optics, he was elected a Fellow of the Optical Society of America.

Beyond his scientific achievements, Sastry was an ardent follower of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and helped in various areas in the colleges established by Sai Baba. He contributed extensively to the educational institutions established by Sai Baba, particularly in providing oversight for their science departments. He was a member of the governing council during the establishment of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning and played a key role in the development of the Study Circle and Education in Human Values initiatives, which continue today as core weekly practices at Sai Centers globally.

In 2022, Sastry authored the book Meditations on God and Man, reflecting his lifelong engagement with spirituality and human values.

Sastry was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Subbalaxmi Pappu; second wife, Seetha Pappu; son, Krishna Pappu; grandsons, Krsna and Sanjai Ramachandran; his brother P.V.N. Rao, three sisters Jagadamba, Suryakantam and Appalanarsamma.

Survivors include his daughter, Padmaja and husband, Prem Ramachandran; grandson, Arjun Ramachandran, all of Wichita, KS; son, Rohit and wife, Natasha Pappu; granddaughter, Minerva Pappu, all of St. Louis, MO; brothers, Kodanda Ramam Pappu, and his children Rajamani, Sailaja, Usha and Kiran, Hanumantha Rao and wife, Subbalaxmi Pappu, their children Surya and Aruna; niece Seshukumari and numerous other nieces and nephews and other relatives.

As per Sastry’s request a Private cremation will take place on January 23rd.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ResthavenMortuary-Cemetery.com for the Pappu family.