Chandrakant Desai's Obituary
On March 28, 2025, Chandrakant S. Desai died peacefully after several weeks of illness. He was born on November 24, 1936, in Nadisar, Gujarat, India in a poor farming village. He loved to question his own age because he always looked younger than his years and made sure you noticed that.
He was always an academic, sent to boarding school when he was twelve. He was a professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Arizona since 1981, prior to that at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. His academic achievements were many; he was so proud of starting a conference series called the International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics in 1971. He was the originator and first editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Geomechanics. His professional resume (including many books) is a testament to his lifetime of academic excellence.
He came to the United States in 1964. Over the ensuing 60 years he sponsored and supported countless family members as they immigrated as well. Siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews often came to live with him and his family as they started their lives in the US. Many have shared that, if not for him, they would never have had so many opportunities. Over the past few days these relatives described him using adjectives such trailblazer, mischievous, funny, brilliant, handsome, admirable, selfless, supportive, curious, courageous, generous, and pioneering.
Even though he lived in the U.S., he held deeply on to his ties to India and loved to read Indian literature and poetry, watch Bollywood movies, and follow Indian politics. His love for Indian food especially pakoras, ladoos, and dal-bhat was unparalleled. No matter which city he went to in his lifetime of travels, he had to try the Indian restaurant.
He enjoyed almost 56 years of marriage to Patricia Lynn Porter, who he met at UT Austin. He wooed her with his lush mustache and quirky humor. They travelled the world together, read books together, and supported each other daily. He has two children: Son Sanjay lives at a long-term care facility in Tucson. Daughter Maya, who along with her husband, Sean, and children (Lois Mira and Vernon Jay) live in Worcester, Massachusetts. He loved when Maya and her family would visit as he would encourage them to eat Indian snacks and try laughing yoga with him.
His family & friends will miss him so much.
A memorial will be announced in the coming weeks.
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