Prakash Mulchandani

Prakash was born on August 23, 1944 in Karachi. At the age of 3, Prakash and his family were forced to leave their home during the Indian Partition of 1947, eventually resettling in Bombay, India. It was there that his family rebuilt their lives. As a young man, Prakash was a bright student and an accomplished athlete; as a cricket player, he consistently earned the coveted opening batter position. His love of sports and competition would continue throughout his life. Whether it was football, basketball, baseball, hockey, tennis or golf, Prakash never missed an opportunity to attend live events with his children, grandchildren and friends.

Prakash also had a passion for higher education and amassed several degrees in his lifetime – from the University of Bombay (Bachelor of Science), Michigan State University (Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering), Clemson University (Master’s in Chemical Engineering), University of Michigan (Master’s in Business Administration), and finally The Ohio State University (Master’s in Accounting). This education would serve him well as a corporate business leader and later as an educator.

He had a long and storied career with Rockwell International (later ArvinMeritor, Inc.), culminating in a successful tenure as the President of Heavy Vehicle Systems, a division which encompassed the company’s worldwide operations. Upon retiring, he began his second career as an adjunct professor at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, where he had a significant impact on his students and colleagues over the course of 20 years.

Prakash’s greatest treasures were his relationships with his daughters and grandchildren. He truly delighted in each and every one of them. His most cherished moments were spent with them at parks, zoos, museums, sporting events; he loved to read to them, play with them, or relax at home with them on the couch as he sipped a piping hot cup of coffee. Prakash really enjoyed the simple pleasures of life.

He was a devoted, loving brother to his sister, Gita, with whom he maintained a close relationship throughout his life. He also adored his two sons-in-law, Jimmy and Mark, and reveled in talking with them about all things sports, politics, and life while enjoying Belgian beers and chocolates. His memory was remarkable, and he would often recall the fondest memories of his childhood in India, the summers spent with his beloved cousins, or his early years in America and the fascinating journey he embarked upon as an immigrant to this country.

Prakash was the embodiment of modesty, humor, generosity and kindness. He was curious about the life of everyone he met; he valued friendships and family above all else and was loyal to all who knew him. While he traveled the world during his lifetime, he felt most content in his own home, admiring the serene view of the surrounding woods.

Prakash is survived by his daughter Ravina (James) Welsh and their children Carys and Cade; daughter Reva (Mark) Smith and their children Mara and Reid; sister Gita (Balu) Sukhija and their children Kunal, Serena and Vinit—all of whom will miss him greatly.

His family would like to thank all the nurses at Wesley Woods who took such wonderful care of him in his final years; with their help, Prakash’s last days were spent with a view of the garden and listening to classic Indian music from his vast cassette collection.

Visitation hours for Prakash will be held on June 20th from 4-7pm at Schoedinger Funeral Home in Gahanna, Ohio.