We are sorry to share the sad news of the passing of Ramesh Michael David Khanna, AIS Class of 1968, on 31 October 2021 of cardiac complications.  His sister, Kaneez Zehra Razavi (formerly Anupam Pratibha Khanna), AIS Class of 1971, provided a link to his beautiful memorial service in London and you are invited to view it. 

“As we mourn the passing of my elder brother, Ramesh Michael David Khanna, I am deeply saddened by this loss. We are three siblings: Naresh, Ramesh, who has just left us, and I (fondly called Anu).  Both my brothers took great care of me as a small child. Ramesh, who was closer in age, often became a reluctant, yet attentive, playmate. Mostly, he taught me many things and encouraged me to leave Nancy Drew at age seven to focus on reading the Classics.

When we lived in NYC as little children, the building next door was the Yorkville branch of the NY Public Library System. Six books were allotted for two weeks and could not be exchanged before seven days. Often he used my mother’s or my library card to issue more books as he had completed those he issued.

Yes, this is my dearest and fondest memory of him – as my source of information. A voracious reader, he became knowledgeable about information technology, became lively in his search on the meaning of the Bible, as well as delighting me with modern Christian music. 

A polyglot, his other specialty was languages. Ramesh studied German, Russian and Chinese and most recently, he taught himself Hebrew. He knew quite a bit of Arabic while his knowledge of etymology led him to understand a host of other languages as well.

Ramesh’s generosity was probably lesser known. My daughter Zainab lives in Wellington, New Zealand, and he sponsored her passage and bridge course that helped her gain a work visa.

Ramesh had a long time, long-distance relationship with Pat Albright (RIP) of Yuma, Arizona.  Although they never met face to face, they were the truest of companions.  They shared a love of music and many discussions of theology.  Perhaps he succumbed to a broken heart.

Thank you all for being with us at this time.  May Ramesh rest in eternal peace.  Amen”

– from Kaneez Zehra Razavi (AIS Class of 1971)

“Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. Amen”