Murli M. Gupta

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. Murli Manohar Gupta—husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and revered member of his family, neighborhood, and professional communities—on Monday, August 19th, 2024 at his home in Falls Church, Virginia. He was sitting peacefully with his wife of 50 years, Elsie Patsy, and chatting about his beloved grandchildren when his beleaguered heart gave out. He was 78. All family and friends are invited to a funeral service on Sunday, August 25th at 9:00am at National Funeral Home, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. He will receive Hindu last rites. Along with Elsie, he is survived by his four children, Anu (Butler), Manish (Shivani), Monica (JP), and Rahul (Anne); his seven grandchildren, Dylan, Divya, Ilan, Cecilia, Ethan, Francis, and Jay; his three surviving sisters, Usha (Satish), Lata (Vivek), and Poonam (Harish), and one brother, Madhup (Era); his many nephews and nieces and their children; his closest friend and confidant, Uncle Bansi; and many other relatives in the US, India, Canada, and elsewhere. He was predeceased by his deeply respected father and mother, Ram Kumar and Shakuntla, and his revered elder sister Pushpa and her husband, Jagdish. Above all, Grandpa was a family man, dedicated to his family near and wide, and his actions over the decades enabled their strengths and successes. Murli—aka Professor Gupta—was a dedicated educator who taught and researched mathematics at The George Washington University for 45 years, retiring only this year in May. He happily went above and beyond, grading AP Exams for more than 20 years, but above all he loved teaching. He was a champion of education for women, and pushed for innovations and inclusion for women in mathematics. He launched the professional careers of many young women by starting the nationally renowned GWU Summer Program for Women in Mathematics. Mathematics took him all over the world, from India to Canada (where he met his wife and earned his Ph.D.), Australia, and Papua New Guinea, before it brought him to his forever home in Falls Church. Dad loved traveling the world, spoiling his little bubboos and princesses, air-conducting to classical music, playing Scrabble with his buddy, tracking everyone’s flights, and celebrating all occasions, big and small, with Mom and family and friends (and cake). He will be missed. The outpouring of love and support from all around the world has touched us deeply and is giving us strength in this tough time. In lieu of flowers, remembrances are kindly asked to be directed to the Dr. Murli and Mrs. Elsie Gupta Graduate Student Fund for Women in Mathematics at The George Washington University, 1-800-789-2611, [email protected] (on website please click “Other” and specify).