Suresh RaMcHandra Londhe

He was the second born but eldest son to Ramchandra and Sushila Londhe. He had 4 brothers and 4 sisters. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Poona University in 1960.

On December 30, 1960 at the age of 20, Suresh left from Mumbai, India by ship to London and then boarded a plane and landed in New York on January 18, 1961. He traveled by bus to his next destination, Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!), where he earned his Master’s Degree in Agronomy in 1962 and his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics in 1965.

On July 27, 1967, he married Rajas Girme in Pune, India, and they both returned to the US to start their new life. After different teaching jobs at various colleges in Arkansas, New York and Nashville, TN, he began the long tenure of his teaching and research career at SC State University in Orangeburg, SC.

In February 1970, they welcomed their daughter, Roshan of Irmo, SC and a son, Harshad of Huntersville, NC, in April 1972.

In his 40 years of service at SC State, Suresh Londhe served with distinction as a teacher, researcher and administrator. He was involved with many university committees, projects and activities a held many positions of high responsibility including Interim Dean of the College of Business and Applied Professional Sciences and Interim Director of SC State’s MBA program with concentrations in agribusiness and entrepreneurships. He was instrumental in developing the agribusiness undergraduate and master’s program in the early 1980’s.

The global nature of agribusiness as a field of study and as an economic and social enterprise provided Dr. Londhe with the motivation to increase SC State’s participation in agribusiness research, training and outreach worldwide. With funding from the US Agency for International Development (US AID), Dr. Londhe conducted six international research projects, two in the Philippines and four in Indonesia. Through these projects, several SC State faculty and student were given opportunities to explore the international dimensions of agribusiness. One of his last projects before retirement was with other SC State faculty and partnership with Tennessee State University and the Indian Institute of Management in Lucknow, India with sponsorship by the US Department of Agriculture.

Dr. Londhe was also an original resident and a pillar of the Indian community in Orangeburg. He worked with other Indians in the community to bring cultural enrichment especially for the next generations. Several functions including the first and many to follow Diwali functions, several community beach picnics and even built a volleyball court with his back yard for anyone to enjoy, which they did for many years. When more international students came to SC State, he and his family opened their home to them for a home cooked meal prepared by his wife or to celebrate different occasions but mainly Diwali as they would be away from their own families during this special time.

Suresh Londhe had several loves and hobbies including reading books, World War II history, vacationing at the beach, tent camping, volleyball and grilling. He also had a large interest in photography and even traveled to Tokyo to buy his first Minolta and developing his own pictures. International travels were important to him and he shared this with his family traveling to many countries including Singapore, Thailand Hong Kong and Japan. He also traveled extensively with them throughout Europe, India and the US. He loved music which always played in the background of his home of mostly Hindi bhajans, 1950 and 60’s Bollywood classics, and even 60’s classics on American Films.

In his retired life, he and his wife moved to Irmo, SC to be closers to their family. He became an avid pickleball player playing until a minor injury at 83 years old. His passion and primary favorite pass time was being with his family but especially his three grandchildren, Anjali McDaniel, Shail Londhe and Vir Londhe. He enjoyed watching movies, playing games and traveling with them. The joy they provided him was the highlight of his life.

In addition to his immediate family including daughter-in-law, Vandana and his daughter’s fiancé, John Vassalotti, and many extended families in the US, Suresh Londhe leaves behind many more friends and family in India to whom he also provided guidance and support.

Suresh Londhe’s kindheartedness and love of people touch so many through his entire life. He was knowledgeable in so many subjects and provided guidance to many. He always stressed the importance of hard work, never giving up, and the bond of family. He will forever be missed but never forgotten.

A Memorial Service will be held at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home - Lexington Chapel, 503 North Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072, on August 10, 2026, from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.

“When we lose someone we love, we must learn to not live without them, but to live with the love they left behind”