Anantha "Ravi" Santhanam

A giant at heart and strong willed until the end, Anantha (Ravi) Santhanam passed away on April 18, 2021 at Johns Hopkins hospital.  He was 47 years old.  Born in Chennai, India, Ravi is the son of Dr. T.S. Santhanam and Kamakshi Santhanam.  He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and wonderful uncle to his many nieces and nephews.  Ravi is survived by his wife, Ananthi Santhanam, and his two children Nikhil Santhanam and Maya Santhanam.

Ravi excelled at everything to which he set his heart and mind.  After spending most of his school years in India, he immigrated to the United States with his family in 1989.  He was an outstanding student and obtained a double promotion upon completing the 11th grade.  He won a blue ribbon prize at the Greater St. Louis Science Fair, receiving a scholarship to attend Washington University in St. Louis.  Ravi completed his Bachelor’s of Science in Computer and Electrical Engineering at Washington University.  He went on to receive an MBA from the Olin School of Business at Washington University.  As a brilliant and precocious employee of IBM, Ravi received many accolades.  Since 2007, Ravi worked as a consultant and contractor for the U.S. government, enjoying what he did until a few hours before his death.

Far more than his education and career, Ravi will be remembered as a loving, devoted, and generous family and community man.  He raised two bright, caring, incredible and conscientious children and helped teach and mentor his younger brothers.  Ravi loved music and cherished Hindu traditions, which he imparted not only on his children but many others in the Maryland area.

For fifteen years, Ravi endured various medical conditions, but throughout it all, he remained confident, strong, positive and looked forward to planning and spending many celebratory moments with his family.  His commitment to his family, work and community is an example for others to follow.  His spirit and zeal will be truly missed by all.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial should be made to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital or Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia who are carrying on cancer research that may be able to help others like Ravi.

To view a livestream of the service, please click HERE .