Longtime Engineering Faculty Member R.G. Deshmukh Passes Away

It is with sadness we report the passing of Faculty Emeritus Raghvendra Girirao “R.G.” Deshmukh, a distinguished scholar of electrical engineering who spent nearly a quarter-century as a faculty member at Florida Tech.

Dr. Deshmukh passed away Oct. 8, according to an obituary published March 4. He was 86.

Born in Chincholi, India, Dr. Deshmukh came to the U.S. at age 37 “to seek greater opportunity for his family,” according to his obituary. He earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Oklahoma State University, and in September 1982 was hired at Florida Tech as an associate professor in electrical and computer engineering. He was also an academic department head and graduate student coordinator during his tenure.

Dr. Deshmukh remained at Florida Tech for more than 24 years before retiring in May 2006 and being named emeritus faculty.

Syed Murshid, visiting research professor, came to the Florida Tech in 1994 as a graduate student in what was then the electrical and computer engineering department (now electrical engineering and computer science). He joined as full-time faculty in 1999. He worked with Dr. Deshmukh for many years.

“He was a well-meaning colleague with measured words,” Dr. Murshid said. “The day I became an associate professor, R.G. came to me and stated, ‘It must feel good to have the 250-pound gorilla off your back.’ Indeed, he had been there and done it, and I can still feel the sincerity and the warmth of his words.”

Dr. Murshid recalls seeing presentations from Dr. Deshmukh’s doctoral students. “I was impressed by the depth of knowledge and the presentation skills they exhibited, and it was a clear testament to Dr. Deshmukh’s teaching and advising prowess,” he said.

“You will be missed,” Dr. Murshid said. “Rest in peace, dear friend!”

Tom Sanders was in department leadership during Dr. Deshmukh’s time at Florida Tech. Now faculty emeritus, Dr. Sanders remembered his former colleague as a dedicated teacher and researcher.

“We worked together on many projects in our department, and he always did an outstanding job. I know that he will be missed by his many friends and family,” Sanders said. “May he rest in peace.” 

“R.G. was a great mentor for many young faculty,” said Hamid Rassoul, interim chief academic officer and provost, former College of Science dean, and Distinguished University Professor. “He was a stickler for the rules, a virtuous man who lived and worked according to high moral and academic standards. I feel honored to have known him.”

Dr. Deshmukh was preceded in death by his father, Girirao Deshmukh, his mother Kusumabai Deshmukh, his brothers Nandakumar, Shashikumar and sister Kamala. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Sharayu Deshmukh, his brothers Dilip, Arun and sisters Krishna, Leela, and Pratibha. He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Anjali (Ramon Mohanlal); his eldest son, Praveen; his son, Vivek (Kristin); and his son, Vinay (Preeti); and his seven beautiful grandchildren Maya, Madan, Ria, Ravi, Rohan, Jai, Asha.

Details on funeral services were not included in the obituary.