Babubhai Ashabhai & Indumati Babubhai Patel

Babubhai was born in Baroda (Gujarat) in 1928 in a modest family with four brothers and one sister. His father Ashabhai was a stenographer. During his schooling years, he moved from Baroda to Sojitra (native place) to Karachi to Calcutta to Sojitra to Karachi to Baroda and completed SSC and two years of college. He was exceptionally bright at studies and throughout his 1-11 schooling he consistently maintained 1st rank in the class (never got a 2nd place or lower rank. During the partition, the family had to abandon their residence in Karachi and had to run for their lives. They had to take turns as and when transportation by sea or train became available.

During his two years in college in Baroda, he was the only student in the class wearing Pajamas as the family did not have enough pants for all five brothers. When he was only sixteen, his father expired due to a heart attack. Upon completion of two years of college, Babubhai moved to Bombay. He was admitted to medicine but he had to let go the admission as he could not arrange for needed Rs. 300 admission fee. So he decided to pursue a career in Civil Engineering at VJTI – then the best engineering college in India. He received merit based loan money from a Parsi trust which helped him support during the engineering degree. For lack of adequate lighting at home, young Babubhai would go to public parks and study under the lights. During his engineering studies, he took a break for a year to earn money and went to Bhuj (Gujarat) for a Rs 200/mo job. Despite poverty, all brothers had solid unity and worked very hard to support the family. Upon graduation he took up a job with a Govt. Housing Board authority and dedicated his entire career there and retired as an Executive Engineer. He was the chief engineer in charge for development of JVPD scheme in Bombay which has been a home to many Bollywood stars.

In friends and family circles, Babubhai was known for his utmost honesty and integrity. At weddings, he was the de facto keeper of money, jewelry and valuables. He lived a very simple life. He hardly took any formal vacation or went to restaurants. At home, regardless of the occasion and the food, he never exceeded eating two chapatis and maintained the discipline for entire life. For the family he has been a true beacon of simplicity, self-content, honesty, integrity, wisdom and self-control. He never ever demanded anything for himself in life. Listening to music was his only hobby and he had a gramophone along with a collection of 78 RMP records. His sole mission in life was to support the family so they can have a better life.

knowledge far exceeded her formal education.

Indumati was born in Dharmaj (Gujarat) in 1930 as the eldest child in the family. Her native was Nadiad. She grew up along with three brothers and four sisters in Bombay where her father had a business. Coming from a relatively affluent family, she enjoyed club memberships, automobiles, horse riding, photography and a vacation home in Panchgini. She was an expert swimmer and could dive from a 2nd story. At age 16 she learned driving and she would dare driving car in mountainous terrains of Mahableshwar and Panchgini. She had a passion for sewing and enjoyed her hobby till recent months.

Very outgoing and social, she influenced countless people during her life. Yet for a lifelong, she was a dedicated mother and a house wife. She only finished high school but her practical knowledge far exceeded her formal education.

She was a problem solver, inventor at home and devised many things in house that would make her life easy, particularly when her functionality was limited due to arthritis. She was an excellent cook and won prizes in various competitions.

When her conservative parents did not approve, she would enroll her sister in a dance academy for three years and support her without parent’s knowledge! She enrolled yet another sister in a singing class without parent’s knowledge. All brothers and sisters remember her as enforcer of good rules and house keeping in the house. She had been a lifelong inspiration and a guide to all younger brothers and sisters throughout her life time. She practically played a role of head of the house hold for her side of the family. She had told the family that she would like to donate all her organs upon her death.

In 1954 they were married and Mokshada, Priyadarshi and Sharmila were born in 1955, 1959 and 1962 respectively. For next twenty some years, they would dedicate their lives raising kids and fulfilling their needs.

In 1993 both immigrated to US and became citizens in 1998. They are survived by all three children and six grandchildren named Malvi, Krushang, Shalvi, Neil, Niral and Sonika. Their hard work and dedication finally paid off. For past 18 years, they got to live in the same town (San Antonio) with all the children and most of the grandchildren.

The family will miss their presence in flesh, but in spirit they will be with the family forever. May god rest their souls in peace.

Babubhai Ashabhai Patel

January 23, 1928 - February 16,2018

Indumati Babubhai Patel

December 6, 2930 - February 18, 2018