Lt. Col. Raja Ram Chandra, 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 30, 2022 in Chattanooga TN, USA. Born on April 22, 1931, the seventh child of Ramchandra and Sushila Devi, Col. Chandra’s parents relocated from Burma to Dehradun, India in 1933. He completed his higher secondary education from the Convent of Jesus and Mary and his Bachelor of Science degree from Dehradun’s DAV (Dayananda Anglo-Vedic) College. He was the captain of his College Athletic Team and his exceptional athletic abilities won him numerous gold medals. These achievements played a key role in his acceptance to the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA) in 1949. Col. Chandra’s experience both during his training as an IMA cadet and his twenty-one years’ service in the Indian Army had a lifelong impact on his career and life. They instilled in him strong values of leadership and service that would define him and become his hallmark. While stationed at an army base in Ambala Cantt in 1957, Col. Chandra met his beloved wife Lt. Dr. Kunti Sharma. After his retirement from the army, Col. Chandra opened a successful automobile parts factory with his brother, Col. Jagdish Chandra. Outside of work, Col. Chandra enjoyed golf, badminton, and going to his local gym, where he was the oldest member and a favorite of the gym staff. In his spare time, he worked closely with the War Widows Association of New Delhi, as he witnessed the loss of numerous husbands and officers during his time in war. He made it his life’s mission to help others in every way he possibly could. Throughout his communities both in Chattanooga and Delhi, “Chandra Uncle”, as his friends called him, was known for his vivacious spirit and open hearted generosity, with many fondly remembering his famous “chai sessions” held in his living room. Col. Chandra was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-three years, Dr. Kunti Chandra, his six siblings, Prakash Rani, VidyaBhushan, Krishna, ShardaDevi, VidyaSagar, and Jadgish, and both his parents. He is survived by his sons, Sandeep and Anuj (wife Lotika), his granddaughters, Anjali and Alisha, sister Usha, grandson Vijay Vikram and countless friends and relatives. Funeral to be held on Wednesday August 3, 10 am at Lane Funeral Home, Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga TN. To view livestream visit https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1659379648199463
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in his name to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen.