Kaushik Padmanabhaiyangar Sriram

Kaushik Padmanabhaiyangar (Ram) Sriram was born in New Delhi, India, to K.R.Padmanabha Aiyangar and Pankajavalli on the 6th of November 1944, their 6th and last child. Much loved by all, he was a bit of a loner because of the age gap between him and some of his siblings. His eldest brother, K.P.Rangaswami, who passed away on the 12th of September 2011, was sixteen years older than Ram. Before his hospitalization in October 2011, Ram came to hear of the demise of a sister’s husband. His own end has been the third blow for his surviving siblings.

Ram was educated at one of the best schools in New Delhi – The Modern School, where he met and retained many lifelong friends who are spread around the globe. Ram was a voracious reader and the school sustained his intellectual growth. In addition it honed his artistic abilities. He played the sitar, wrote limericks, found creative expression in writing that was tinged with humor and painted. The family had to find this out for themselves; Ram’s father’s friend found a painting of his exhibited in a hotel foyer. When asked about it, Ram modestly admitted he had won a prize in a painting competition. In later years he was to teach himself to create beautiful works of art with glass. Ram also enjoyed innovative expression in cooking for friends. Rheumatoid arthritis took a toll on many aspects of his creativity, but he remained an optimist to the end. Ram loved to travel and continued to maintain and nourish his friendships and family connections with several national and international trips per year.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay in 1965 and arrived at Rice University in Texas on a fellowship in January 1966. He received his Master of Science (M.S.) degree by the end of the year (1966) and his Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D) the next year (1967), thus setting a record by completing his work towards his Ph.D before his 22nd birthday. Both degrees from Rice University are also in Electrical Engineering.

Ram worked for more than 20 years as a Research Geophysicist for Shell Oil. He was a member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists and of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. After retiring from Shell, Ram went back to school and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) from the University of Houston (1996) His second career was as a Patent Attorney for over 15 years. At his death, Ram was a partner in the Houston law firm Mossman, Kumar & Tyler.

He had many awards, including the highly coveted Silver Medal from the Indian Institute of Technology (1964). He was also a 40 year member of MENSA. If there is such a thing as Athena’s touch he certainly had it. No subject, it seemed was beyond his grasp.

The family wishes to acknowledge Mellonie Jiles, who assisted both Soni and Ram for over 15 years

Ram was married three times, and was predeceased by his last wife, the late Soni Brett. He is survived by his daughter, Chandra Sriram; his stepdaughter, Valerie Brett and husband Rodney Gardner; and his grandchildren, Maya and Rachel Gardner. Additionally, Ram is survived by three sisters and one brother in India; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many dear friends around the globe who were all touched by him.

The memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 19th of May, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Grand Foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Ram’s memory may be directed to the charity of one’s choice.