SUNDARAM, Dr. Kantha Maran Somu

Died surrounded by his family on February 25, 2016 in Sault Ste. Marie. He was 88 years old. “Soma” Sundaram is survived by his wife Rose (nee Van Daele), his son, Rajah (Ruth), of La Crosse, Wisconsin, grandchildren, Maria, David and Cassandra, step daughters, Cherie and Pauline, and step grandsons Carlton and Michael. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Alamelu Sundaram (nee Shastri). Soma was born on October 13, 1927, in Kanthayapalayam, India to Maran and Meenakshi Sundaram. He attended Annamalai University in India where he married Alamelu. Both Soma and Alamelu obtained doctorate degrees in Chemistry from the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia, after which both were on the faculty at the University of Ghana in Ghana, West Africa. After moving to Canada they both worked as researchers for the Canadian Forestry Research Institute. Together, they forged a legacy of scientific scholarship and were highly regarded in their field. Soma had a long history of mentorship to students which he fulfilled by also teaching at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie. After Alamelu died in 1997, he was fortunate enough to meet Rose, whom he married in 2000. Soma passed away peacefully in the Van Daele Nursing Home after a lengthy illness. He will be remembered as an individual of great scholarship and personal integrity, and as a mentor. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm. Memorial service will take place in the chapel at 2 pm. In Lieu of flowers, charitable donations to Extendicare Van Daele or to the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated by the family. The family wishes to express their deepest from the heart “thank you” to the Van Daele “angels” for all their care during the past year.