A Death in the Family

On December 26, 2024, my father passed away. His health started to deteriorate starting three years ago, and then during 2024, the pace picked up. Below is the obituary I wrote for him:

Sreenivasa C Rao, 79, of Bellevue, Washington, passed away on December 26, 2024. A dedicated engineer, community leader, and loving family man, he leaves behind a legacy of service to both his professional field and cultural community.

Born in 1945 in Tumakuru, India to CV Raghavendra Rao and Seethamma Rao, Sreenivasa earned his degree in electrical engineering from the National Institute of Engineering in Mysore. He married Geetha in 1978 and shortly after, they immigrated to the United States, settling in Bellevue, Washington, where they would build their life together.

Throughout his professional career, Sreenivasa made significant contributions to the Seattle area's infrastructure, working on major public works projects including wastewater treatment facilities for the greater Seattle area, the Metro bus tunnels in Seattle, and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport renovation project. His engineering expertise helped shape the region's transportation and utilities systems that continue to serve millions of residents and visitors.

Beyond his professional achievements, Sreenivasa was deeply committed to preserving and sharing his cultural heritage. He played an instrumental role in establishing the Hindu Temple in Bothell, Washington, serving on its board and contributing both through donations and fundraising efforts. His dedication helped create a spiritual home for generations of Hindu families in the greater Seattle area.

A man of remarkable resilience, Sreenivasa faced a significant spinal cord injury in 2000. Despite being told he would never walk again, he defied the odds through sheer determination and perseverance, eventually regaining his ability to walk. Though a man of few words, he taught profound lessons about hard work and persistence through his actions, particularly in the face of tremendous challenges.

Sreenivasa took great pride in the home he built in Bellevue, where he enjoyed cooking and spending time with his family. He was known for his exceptional ability to repair anything mechanical, taking things apart and reassembling them with skilled precision. An enthusiastic traveler, he delighted in exploring new places and sharing these experiences with his loved ones.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Geetha; his son, Giridhar; his daughter-in-law, Katie; his cherished grandchildren; and his brother Ramesh. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Mohan, and his sister Vasundra. His warmth, wisdom, and dedication to family and community will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Drafting this obituary was such an odd experience, but a necessary one, not just for our social norms, but also to help process what happened. One day, I hope to be able to write about our relationship, but today is not that day.

I'm putting some things in my life like work on hold to figure out how to structure my life around everything that I care most about. I recognize that is a privilege and one that I'm fortunate to have. If nothing else, watching my father in the final decades of his life taught me that struggles are inevitable, but they must be worthwhile.