Dr. P.K. Patel, one of the founding directors and a longtime, major supporter of Mahatma Gandhi Scholarships. He conceived our participation in the AVID scholarship program and strengthened San Diego Indian American Society's financial position. He presented the first group of Mahatma Gandhi scholarship recipients in the Inaugural Mahatma Gandhi memorial lecture on October 2, 1984, addressed by Dr. Jonas Salk. He was one of the pillars of SDIAS in the last 38 years. We will miss him. Since life does not begin with birth nor ends with physical disappearance, he will be around guiding us. Our heartfelt condolences to his inseparable, loving wife, Kantaben, their children Rita and Raj,their in-laws, Suresh and Alka and their loving grandchildren.

P.K was born in Minkachh, Gujarat on November 8th,1939 and was the fourth of five children. He went to Baroda for college received scholarship to pursue master’s degree at UC Berkely in 1963 in Mechanical Engineering. Before moving to US, he married Kanta, his to be partner in life. After finishing his master’s in Berkely he moved to New York city to attend Columbia University for a PhD. Kanta joined him in the U.S and their family grew with the additions of Rita and Raj. P.K and Kanta sponsored several family members and friends to join them in the U.S and supported them in their transition. They lived in New Jersey, New York and then moved to Encinitas in 1974.

In memory of P.K Patel if you wish to donate please donate here, this will support the vision of P.K Patel.