FAYETTEVILLE — Raj Varad Kilambi, 88,

passed from his earthly life Thursday, March 25, 2021. Born in Tenali, India A.P., he is survived within his immediate family by his loving wife of nearly 64 years, Jaya; sons Neal, Navin and Nirmal and their respective wives Juanita, Bridget and Cherie. He is also survived by and proud of his nine grandchildren, and two step-grandchildren.

Our family is sad to say goodbye to a well-respected member of the Fayetteville community. As a young man, he left part of his heart with his family in India in the late 1950s to come to North America where he earned a second master’s degree at the University of British Columbia. Then with his bride, Jaya, always at his side, he completed a Ph.D in zoology at the University of Washington, where his first two sons, Neal and Navin were born.

He was offered a position starting as an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas in 1966 and has the distinction of being the first Indian and first person if not one of the first persons of color hired at the University of Arkansas in that rank. His youngest son Nirmal was born in Fayetteville. He was highly regarded as he steadily rose through the ranks to full professor and subsequently professor emeritus.

His academic, research achievements, and publications are too numerous to count but included chair of the Department of Biology, Who’s Who of American Educators, and the prestigious Fulbright Scholar award. An immensely popular professor of zoology for 35 years, his impact on the lives of many students and colleagues is truly immeasurable. We have been blessed to hear many of their personal stories especially his impact in the education of the health care community which also inspired his sons’ careers.

He was also a respected leader, proud naturalized American citizen, and adviser in the Indian community and was the founding member of The Friends of India Society of the University of Arkansas and The Hindu Temple of Northwest Arkansas. He was truly a pioneer.

But in the end, his source of pride and most important thing to him was his family. He was a loving and devoted husband, and the most loving and supportive father to his three sons. All he wanted in life was to work hard to provide for his wife and his three sons’ health, education, and success as the Kilambi family’s first generation of Americans.

We will miss his intellect, his personal style, his great sense of humor, his abundant if not often told story telling, his yoga demonstrations, and his wise advice and counsel. But most of all we will miss his unconditional love and great hugs.

We lost the pillar of our family, but take comfort that he is no longer suffering and is in a better place. After a private cremation and family ceremony, a memorial service is planned at a time to be determined soon for all who want to attend, pay their respects, and perhaps share a story. Cremation arrangements are by Nelson Berna Funeral Home of Fayetteville. To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com .