Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Kumarasamy Shanmugan Obituary
Sam was born in a small town in India on January 6, 1943. He emigrated to the United States in 1967 and first moved to Lawrence in 1970 as a postdoctoral fellow at Kansas University. After teaching at Wichita State University, he returned to Lawrence in 1980 to join the KU faculty and became a distinguished professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He was active in the Lawrence community and served as a member of the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission.
Sam is survived by his wife of 48 years, Radha; his sons, Kannon and Ravi; his daughter-in-law, Victoria; and his grandsons, Thomas, William, and Henry.
A memorial service will be held at KU at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shanmugam Family Neurosurgery Research Fund at KU Medical Center. Donations may be made through the KU Endowment at kuendowment.org. Online condolences may be posted at warrenmcelwain.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kumarasamy Shanmugan
Melanie Barker
August 6, 2017
Sam will always shine for us with a memory of brilliance, humor, compassion, dedication and exuberance for life. All who knew Sam were blessed with his enthusiasm for making the world a better place and connecting with everyone he knew. He seemed to bring the best out of all of us, and having known him has been a true gift.
Happy memories in Portland, OR
Keith Barker
August 4, 2017
My deepest condolences. Sam was so wonderful, wise and kind. I shall miss him.
Thomas Bryce
August 4, 2017
Please accept out heart felt sympathies and sincere condolences to your Family from Linda and I. I will always remember Sam stopping in the Hallways,at KU, to talk with me and ask how I and my Family were doing. I Will Miss you Sam. We all will.
August 4, 2017
I am so sorry to hear about Prof Shanmugan passing away. Radhika and I are deeply sorrowed by this loss as he was the one who introduced me to Dr. Frost when we moved from OSU. Prof Shanmugan was a great professor with unique teaching ability. May his soul rest in peace!
Raj Ananthanpillai (and Dr.Radhika Rajagopalan)
Brian Ruf
August 3, 2017
I am very sorry to learn about the loss of Sam. As a student, I arrived at KU the same year as Sam and was fortunate to be one of his students. I remember him as being brilliant yet humble and very personable and approachable. Additionally I was familiar with his work from my subsequent roles on several advisory boards at KU. Sam's extensive contributions to the University, the EECS Department, academics, and to students were extensive and will be missed. My condolences to the Shanmugan family.
Kevin Akins
August 3, 2017
Sincere condolences and sympathies to the Shanmugan family. Dr. Shanmugan was a major influence in my life, an inspirational teacher, advisor, and mentor who in many ways was responsible for my decision to pursue a fulfilling career in satellite communications more than 30 years ago. I also knew his sons Ravi and Kannon (I was a custodian at Deerfield Elementary school when Ravi was in Kindergarten) and my mom (Margaret Akins) taught Kannon at South Jr. High. Sam was a unique and inspirational figure for a generation or two of KU engineering students like me. I will never forget him, his technical brilliance, or his gentle persona. God bless him and his family during this difficult time.
Amy Miller
August 3, 2017
All my love to Sam's family in this difficult time.
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
Make a Donation
in Kumarasamy Shanmugan's name
Memorial Events
for Kumarasamy Shanmugan
How to support Kumarasamy's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Kumarasamy Shanmugan's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
