Dr. K. Vedam
Passed away peacefully on September4, 2009 in his daughters home in Vancouver, Canada. He was a highly respected scientist and teacher, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and remarkable friend and mentor to multitudes.
Vedam was born in Vedaranyam, India in January 1926. Having received a classical education at National College and Nagpur University, he completed his PhD research at Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. While still studying he was a regular volunteer at cataract surgery camps for the needy and State Champion in tennis. He first came to State College in 1956 as a postdoctoral fellow in crystallography, in the Physics Department. He then spent 2 years at the Atomic Energy Commission in Mumbai, India. In, 1962, Vedam returned to Penn State with his young family to become one of the Physics professors at the interdisciplinary Materials Research Laboratory, the first of its kind in the United States. Over the next 40 years, Vedam became a leader in his fields of high pressure optics and ellipsometry. In the latter, his work, especially on the liquid-solid interface brought great attention to the MRL and Penn State from the scientific and industrial community . He was also involved in early work around laser technology and holography. Throughout he provided continuing inspiration, mentorship and guidance to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Dr. Vedam’s natural curiosity extended to an interest in all fields, cultures, and traditions. He was a music lover, enjoyed both eastern and western classical music, and was patron to many young musicians and dancers. As a young man he followed the Indian independence movement closely, and was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s message of peaceful interaction. His interest in politics and world movements continued throughout his life. He loved all types of games and sports (especially Penn State football), and was a fine photographer of human subjects.
Over his many years in State College, Vedam and his wife of 53 years, Nalini, opened their home to countless new State College families, and served as substitute parents and grandparents to all those whose own families were far away. Even as he achieved acclaim in his world of science, he became renowned for his gentle nature and generous spirit. He took great interest in the paths, trials, and successes of others, young and old, and was always ready with an encouraging word. He was unique in his ability to see only the best in all of his friends, family, and colleagues. In all of his areas of influence he is remembered and revered for his extreme kindness and courtesy to all, and described by many as “the perfect gentleman”.
Dr. Vedam will be missed most by his wife Nalini, sister Ananda, his daughter Saraswathi, his son Subramanyam, son-in-law Jeffrey W Miller, and grandchildren, Maya, Zoe, Lakshmi, and Sophia, and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
The Memorial Service will be held in the Memorial Hall of the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center on the Penn State campus (opposite the Pattee Library entrance), at 2.30pm on Sunday September 20th, with a reception following.
Print Obituary & Condolences
Offer Condolence for the family of Dr. K. Vedam
Messages of Condolence
Please share your thoughts ...
Note: Your message of condolence will be posted online within 24 hours.
Dear Vedam Family and Friends,
Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Just now seeing the Obituary notice, it immediately made me respond, ” Oh no”.
It was through the Roy Family that I met Mr. and Mrs. Vedam during picnics or gatherings and I was always happy to see them although I didn’t know them. I do remember them as kind and gentle and i knew that they were brilliant as well. They were always sweet to respond to my hellos and gave me a nice smile and welcome.
I am so sad to hear this news and I keep you all in my heart.
To Dr. Vedam’s family,
I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Vedam’s passing. He was a kind and gentle man, and a great scientist. We all learned much from him.
Susan
It is with great sadness that I learned of Dr. Vedam’s passing. I will never forget his kindness and his willingness to freely give of his time and ideas. “The perfect gentleman” is an accurate way to describe all aspects of his being.
Digby Macdonald.
Dr. Vedam was always helpful, cheerful, and humble in spite of his brilliance. I saw a lot of Gandhian thinking in him. Even though he is no more, his contributions in the field of Ellipsometry will live on for ever.
I pray for peace and strength for Mrs. Vedam at a time like this.
We deeply share with Nalini & family the loss of Dr.K Vedam.
He was close to us while we were at Penn State.We miss him very much. T.P.&Radha ramachandran
It is with great sadness that we learned of Dr. Vedam’s passing. We deeply share with Mrs. Vedam, Saras and Jeff the loss of Dr. Vedam. He was so helpful, kind and always cheerful. We miss him very much.
Dear all, I am so sad to see this. Having been out of the States for so long I have only come across this sad news today 3/17/10.
Vedam Mama was the kindest, most gentle soul and I always remember seeing him with a beautiful smile much like the picture shown on this site. I used to see him almost every week at Mr. Gandhi’s story hour on Sundays at State College. It brings back some fond memories. I will miss Vedam Mama. I sincerely hope this finds Nalini mami in good health and peace and wish her and family wonderful times in 2010 and the years to follow. SRJJH.
During my current revisit to the US I learnt about the sad demise of Prof Vedam. He taught a course in solid state physics during 1979-80 when I was studying at University Park.. I remember him so dearly for many things – as a good teacher, a great helper (with Mrs Vedam) of new students (especially new students from far away places (such as India) who came to the US with families), but most of all for an absolutely gentle person that he was.
May his soul rest in peace and may his family find enormous strength and inspiration from the legacy he has left behind as a human being.
I met Dr Vedam and Nalani at Niagara Falls 53 years ago. We took pictures of Nalani holding my 3 month old brother Wayne, while my sisters held 3 month old Saraswati. My dad corresponded with them in State College, where we visited them once, and they visited us in Royersford, Pa.
I came across a picture of them at our house and decided to type in his name on Facebook. that’s how I found Dr Vedam’s obituary.
I remember him as curious, tremendously kind and interesting to talk to. I was fascinated by the Indian meal they prepared for us, and by their stories of India.
So sorry to hear of his passing, but it was encouraging to hear of his family, and the grandchildren! I know he was an encouragement to all his family and gave them many good memories.
I’d love to hear more about him.
Peace, love and happiness to all.