Lakshmikantam Govardhan

Lakshmikantam Govardhan, age 89, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Saturday August 29, 2020 while receiving the loving care of the family.

Lakshmikantam was born and raised in Bangalore, India and was the only child to TL Kantam and Kanakamma Kantam.  Lakshmikantam grew up and lived his entire life in the house that he was born in.  As a young boy, he had a great love for sports and was an avid fan of Cricket.  After graduating from high school, he attended Bangalore University in India where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree of Science.  He then accepted a position at his alma mater, Bangalore University, as a professor of Microbiology and Biochemistry.  In 1959, Lakshmikantam moved to the United States where he attended the University of North Texas and earned his Master’s Degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry.  During his time in the United States, he also attended Penn State University where he did more post graduate work until moving back to India in 1966.  Following his move back to India, Lakshmikantam resumed his career as a College Professor at Bangalore University and remained there for nearly forty years until his retirement in 1991.  Subsequent to his retirement, Lakshmikantam remained on the staff at Bangalore University for years as a visiting professor.

As with many marriages in India, Lakshmikantam’s marriage was arranged and was introduced to his wife, Padma Akula, and was married on February 25, 1966.  As fate would have it, he and Padma fell in love and cherished nearly forty years of loving and loyal marriage.  In 1972 the couple welcomed their first child, their son Srikant.  Later in 1976 they welcomed their second child, their daughter Kanaka.  After Lakshmikantam’s wife Padma passed away in 2005 he moved to the United States where his son and daughter were living and remained here until his passing.

Lakshmikantam was a fan of all sports, baseball, football, and basketball.  He could always be found in front of the television watching a sporting event.  He was not a fan of a particular team, but a fan of the sport itself.  He was a voracious reader, particularly of crime and detective novels.  He also enjoyed reading and researching, and continued to educate himself on all sorts of topics.  He was like an encyclopedia of just about anything.  He was able to contribute to any conversation, and contribute legitimately. Lakshmikantam had a wonderfully positive attitude, he never complained and never had a bad word to say about anything or anyone.  He was the kind of person you couldn’t help but like to be around, and you were most likely liable to learn a thing or two while in his company.  Lakshmikantam was a very special person who touched the lives of many people and will be missed by his family and friends alike.  

Lakshmikantam is survived by his son Srikant Govardhan and his wife Gayathri of Wayne, his daughter Kanaka Aspari and her husband Rajesh of Lexington, KY, and three grandchildren; Chetan Aspari of Lexington, KY, Vishnu Srikant of Wayne, and Divith Aspari of Lexington, KY.  He was predeceased by his wife Padma Govardhan in 2005.