Krishna Rama

Dr. Krishna B. Rama, better known as “Ram”, “Rama”, “Ramanna”, “Ram Uncle,”, “Captain”, and “Dad”, was born in Kenkere Palya, Bangalore, Karnataka, India on September 13, 1935. On the morning of December 1, 2024, he passed away peacefully in his sleep at home. He is loved by his family and so many friends and will be dearly missed.

Rama lost both his parents by age 15 and overcame many obstacles to fulfill his dreams. He attended veterinary college in Bangalore, India, before taking a leap to Texas to complete his M.S. degree at Sam Houston State University. Many of you have heard his version of the story —he was next inspired by one of his professors to continue with his Ph.D. at Mississippi State University. He had heard about Dr. Usha Rama through his cousin, her roommate in Montreal, Canada, and met her on one of his trips back to India. The rest is a wonderful story.

Rama and Usha were married on July 4, 1972, in Bangalore, India. Usha then moved to Starkville, Mississippi where Rama was finishing his Ph.D. and where their son, Aditya, was later born after his graduation. They later moved to Chicago and had many wonderful moments with friends that were like family. Their daughter, Rashmi, was also born there. Rama and Usha later moved to St. Joseph, Michigan, where they lived for 6 months, before moving to a place where their story would really unfold—Kalamazoo, Michigan. He loved his family, friends, and his work as a veterinarian and a veterinary medical officer.

It was not uncommon to hear Rama say: “Kalamazoo is the best place to live.” And he meant it. They came to Kalamazoo because of close friendships, they stayed in Kalamazoo because of wonderful people, and they found a place to call home. He fully enjoyed his life, family, career, and friends and wanted everyone around him to do the same. Rama is survived by his wife Usha, his son, Aditya, his daughter, Rashmi, his niece, Chatura Ravishankar (and husband Ravi), his grandnephew Navin Ravishankar (and wife Sam and daughter Meera), and his grandniece, Nayana Ravishankar, as well as countless family members and friends. He loved to travel, play cards, make people laugh, and help people whenever he could. Please join us in celebrating his life well lived and remember him fondly with laughter, happiness, and joy as he would have wanted.

Loved ones may meet the family from 11:00 am-1:00 pm on Sunday, December 8th at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 South 9th St. Kalamazoo, MI 49009. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association: https://act.alz.org/.