Honnavally Nadig Ramaswamy

Dr. H.N. Ramaswamy passed away on October 10, 2022 in Johns Creek, Georgia. Ramaswamy was known as Rama or Ramu to his family. He was born on July 30, 1937 in Honnavally, India, the son of H.N. Suryanarayana Rao and Smt. Kamakshi. Ramaswamy received a B.S. at Bangalore University and M.S. at Karnatak University, later becoming a Chemistry Lecturer at APS College. It was there that he met S.L. Indira Devi, who would soon become his beloved wife. On September 5, 1963, Ramaswamy immigrated to the United States to study at Tulane University in New Orleans. In 1966, he married Indira, and their son, Karthik, was born in 1967. That same year Ramaswamy received his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry. In 1970, Ramaswamy and Indira moved to Smyrna, Georgia where they were blessed with their daughter, Vandana. Ramaswamy built a full life in Atlanta, working in chemical manufacturing and ultimately finishing his career, as he had begun, as a college professor. His greatest joys were his community of family and friends. Starting with leadership in the International Students Association at Tulane, his passion and vision led him to found the Nrupathanga Kannada Koota of Atlanta. Immensely proud and grateful for his citizenship and life he built in America, he remained emotionally tied and devoted to his family, culture, and language in India. He built a high school in Honnavally, which provided education and opportunity where none had existed before. Throughout his life, he made ongoing infrastructure improvements to better the life in the village through support of the school and temple. Here in Atlanta, Ramaswamy emerged as a civic leader, promoting the arts, the Chiguru Kannada language magazine, scholarships, and numerous public service missions for those in need. And at all times, his humor and playfulness made him the life of the party. Ramaswamy lost his mother at age 7, and this tragedy surely was the fountain for his loving kindness and gentle nature. He never complained, never raised his voice. He nurtured a family in both America and India, loving each exquisitely. A constant remembrance of even the smallest help he received from others inspired his enormous generosity and magnanimity for others. A thriving and vibrant diaspora grew from his support and guidance, and he helped countless people to settle here and achieve better lives for themselves. Ramaswamy’s deep well of empathy and sense of duty defined his character. As an elder statesman, father-figure, and inspiration to many, his influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew him and for generations to come. Along with his parents, Ramaswamy is preceded in death by his beloved brother, H.N. Venkataramaiah, H.N. Krishnaswamy, godmother, Ammanna, and sister, Jayamma. He is survived by beloved brother, H. N. Hiriyannaswamy, H.N. Narayanaswamy; wife, Indira; children, Karthik and Anita Bhandiwad, Vandana and Joon Ahn; grandchildren, Asha, Alok, Maya, and Ellora, along with many cherished friends and family throughout the U.S. and India. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes anyone wishing to honor Dr. Ramaswamy’s memory to donate: https://gofund.me/98e87690

Honnavally Nadig Ramaswamy

July 30, 1937 - October 10, 2022