Dr. Venkayya is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Janaki Venkayya; son, Rajeev Venkayya, MD (Viktoria); daughter, Arundhati Venkayya (Gary Pasheilich); his granddaughters, Jayadevi and Aryadevi Cox; grandson, Soren Venkayya; nephew, Prasad Vipperla (Suneeta); nieces, Vijaya Lanka (Ramesh); and Radhika Marni (Sitaram); and many other loving cousins, great nieces and nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Apparao and Seethaiyamma Vipperla; and brother, Chencha Rao Vipperla, MD (Jyothi).
Dr. Venkayya moved to the United States from India in 1957 after graduating from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur to pursue Master’s degrees at the University of Missouri, Rolla. On his first night in America, he was stranded in St. Louis after missing a flight. An American family saw him standing in the terminal, exhausted. The family’s father left his own family to help him find a hotel and get him settled.
That simple act of kindness—the embracing of a stranger from a different country—set the tone for Dr. Venkayya’s belief in the goodness of America. It was a theme that would follow him the rest of his life.
Dr. Venkayya completed his Master’s degrees in electrical and civil engineering and went to work for the highway department in Harrisburg, Penn. He was accepted to the University of Illinois in 1960. He completed his PhD in civil engineering in two years and two months.
He accepted a job at the State University of New York in Buffalo and the university sponsored his green card in 1964. He returned to India in 1965 and married Janaki Das Tumu. As a student advisor, Dr. Venkayya was introduced to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where many of his students went to work or intern.
In 1967, Dr. Venkayya started a long and rewarding career with the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He retired in 2001 as the Director and Leader of the Multidisciplinary Technology Center, Air Vehicles Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, the top civilian research scientist position in the Air Force.
Throughout the years, Dr. Venkayya was offered positions around the world, which he politely declined. He believed working for the United States Air Force was the greatest job in the world. His work in aerospace engineering was his very personal way of serving the country that provided his family the opportunities of a lifetime.
Dr. Venkayya was recognized nationally and internationally for his leadership and expertise in the development of structural design, analysis and optimization techniques and pioneered many advancements in design methods for efficient, lightweight, reliable flight vehicle structures. He developed many structural design/analysis methods used by the Department of Defense, NASA, industry and academia.
A Wright Laboratory Fellow, he was the recipient of many other accolades during his career including: the NASA Douglas Michel NASTRAN Award for lifetime achievements; ASCE Aerospace Structures and Materials Award; AF Flight Dynamics Laboratory Director’s Award for NASP Integration Team; a two-time recipient of the General Foulouis Award; and the Air Force Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award.
Dr. Venkayya developed ASTROS (Automated Structural Optimization System), a premier preliminary design and optimization software program. His accomplishments provided faster, less costly and reduced-weight aircraft preliminary designs. He transformed a culture by convincing designers to adopt techniques different from past experience that led to changes in the way structural systems are designed by substituting analysis for more costly physical testing.
In 1997, he was inducted as a fellow into the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, a career highlight. He loved teaching and mentored many students. Several of them became lifelong and dear family friends. Upon his retirement, he was recognized by President George W. Bush, Ohio Gov. Bob Taft and many Air Force leaders for his contributions to his country.
He supported several community organizations while in Dayton including Day of Caring, a foundation started by his wife in 1991 to give back to the community by supporting the hungry and homeless in the region; Lion’s Club International, which he was a member of for many years; and the Hindu Community Organization. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, running, spirited political debates, a good cup of coffee and visiting with family and friends.
The greatest highlight of his life, though, was his family. A gentle and kind soul, Dr. Venkayya valued education and family above all and devoted his life to ensuring that his children, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives had the opportunity and support to pursue their dreams. His warmness and openness made the shyest person feel comfortable and welcomed and he always had a loving word or moment for anyone needing encouragement.
Dr. Venkayya was incredibly proud of his wife, son and daughter and reveled in their accomplishments. He particularly enjoyed being around children and was thrilled when his colleagues brought their little ones to see him. The happiest moments of his life were spent in the company of his dear and beloved grandchildren, Jaya, Arya and Soren—his very best friends.
A visitation will be held on Monday, May 28, 2018 from 9:30-11:30 AM at Tobias Funeral Home Beavercreek Chapel, 3970 Dayton-Xenia Road.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Dr. Venkayya’s favorite organizations: Day of Caring (which was founded by his wife in 1991) or Lion’s Club International (which he was a member for many years) whose focus areas include vision and hearing loss and diabetes.
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