Lalit Kumar Chimanlal Parekh passed peacefully in his home in the early morning hours on September 8, 2021 with his family. Lalit was the oldest of 8 children, six of whom survived to adulthood. He spent his first 9 years in Savar Kundla, Gujarat, India, being raised by his widowed motiba (grandmother), Santok. He learned independence and a strong work ethic from her. He stayed in Savar Kundla through his first 4 years of school -- and he is the last Parekh of his line to have lived in this ancestral location. He travelled throughout Kathiawad (now Saurashtra), spending time with extended family. He rejoined his immediate family in Parle, Mumbai and attended GPP High School, making lifelong friends. He attended Siddharth College in Churchgate and Bhavan College in Anderi, earning his BS in Chemistry. He worked 6 months as a chemist at Kesar Chemical and then applied for overseas employment and education.
In 1961, Lalit left India and spent 6 months in Europe, earning his way by working on ships. In Germany, he worked with UNESCO collecting statistics. He came to the United States to attend UC Berkeley and graduated from Montana School of Mines with a BS in Metallurgical Engineering in 1964. In college, he spent summers with his cousin Piyush in Chicago, cementing a life-long friendship. During this time he became known as ‘Kumar’ and earned his medical technology training. While in Montana, he worked in the copper mines and hospital labs to supplement his education.
He took his first engineering position at US Metals Refining in Cartrat, NJ, working as a flue dust (precious metals) recovery engineer. Concurrently, he worked part-time at Perth Amboy General Hospital as a medical technician. He then moved to Howmet in Dover, NJ working as a Castings Engineer, launching his career in metal casting and aerospace. Working part-time at Riverside Hospital as a medical technologist, he befriended a group of Filipinas and met his first wife and mother of his children, Carlita.
In 1968, he took a position at Avco Lycoming as Casting Technology Engineer, working on helicopter and experimental engines. He established his reputation as a fair negotiator here, defining specifications and requirements, working with suppliers, and was known for his win-win solutions. His family of five settled in Orange, CT. He continued working part-time at Yale New Haven Hospital.
After a short period as an Engineering Manager in Florida, Kumar relocated the family to Ohio where he joined TRW in Minerva. Here, he was an Engineering Leader for large castings, working on the manufacture of land-based turbine engines. He moved up to product line manager, working with many engine manufacturers such as GE, UTC, ABB, and BBC. He then progressed to international marketing, helping TRW sell to international companies and then returning to make advanced technology products for optimal pricing and profit. He continued his education and earned his Executive MBA from Kent State University in 1981.
In 1985, Kumar relocated his family for a new position at GE Aircraft Engines in Lynn, MA. He worked closely with design engineers and suppliers to maintain cost and technology for advanced engines designed by GE. He worked to produce cost efficiency castings by assisting GE purchasing groups to optimize total cost on helicopter, turbo fan, regional jets, and advanced engine technology for commercial and military applications. For this work, he was awarded with numerous Engineering awards for thin wall, single crystal, and bi-metal castings. He continued his part-time hospital work at JB Thomas Hospital (later Leahy Clinic).
In 1999, he worked with GE’s international casting and machining group to produce parts in Eastern Europe, Taiwan, and China to achieve cost reduction goals and design intended to pass FAA requirements. He assisted GE partners to troubleshoot casting problems and developed quality audits for the casting processes. While based in Europe, he met his current wife Barbara (Basia). In 2002, Kumar moved to Kashung, Taiwan to cover GE’s aircraft engine interests in Taiwan and China. In 2002, he retired after 17 years at General Electric and joined Basia in Phoenix. For the last year of his career, he consulted for marketing and casting processes for SA Consulting Corporation.
Throughout his life, Kumar enjoyed traveling, good food, friends, and family. Co-workers shared stories about his antics in search of the best Scotch, cigars, or steak dinners. His belief in win-win situations resulted in many pig and lamb roasts, company gatherings, and lobster bakes with friends, business contacts, and family. Many friends and family were welcomed to Orange, North Canton, Marblehead, Prague, Cave Creek, Wailea, and Duluth over the years.
Kumar is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Barbara; siblings Jagdish, Ashwin, and Alka and their families; daughters Maria, Maya, and Minal (Montana Tech BS Environmental Engineering, 1994), grandchildren Angela & Sakeia McKelvey, Milan & Nikhil Siano and many cousins and friends in the U.S. and abroad. He is predeceased by his parents, siblings Nilaben, Yatish, Induben, and Bharat, and sister-in-law Chhaya. Kumar leaves a legacy of learning, hard work, humor, personality, and vitality. He is proud to have accomplished so much, largely self-driven, and to have paid forward the help and support he received. He taught his daughters the value of family and relationships, imparted the importance of placing a person with a name, offered them the opportunity to see the world, and encouraged them to face challenges with strength and independence.
Kumar and Barbara have been generous philanthropists, giving back to Kumar's Indian heritage by dedicating a teacher's dormitory in their families’ names in 2006 and to ophthalmology and orthopedic clinics in his hometown of Savar Kundla in 2021. In lieu of flowers, please follow Kumar's lead and donate to Karna Charities International Foundation, 4301 Military Rd NW, Suite 510, Washington, DC 20015 with directions to direct funds to Lalit Parekh Ophthalmological Clinics -- or a charity of your choice. Phone contact for Karna Charities is (202)302-5844 and there is no website at this time.
Lalit Kumar’s Hindu funeral services were held on Thursday, September 9 at Wages & Sons Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, GA.