Gautam Patel

ALEXANDRIA, VA- Gautam Patel, 64, grandson of Bhailalbhai D. Patel (Bhaikaka, the founder of Vallabh Vidyanagar), died at home Monday, May 12, 2008. He was the husband of Tejal G. Patel. The couple celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary on February 13th. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Rd., York followed by cremation. Gautam was born on November 5, 1943 in Chhota Udepur, India, a son of Shantaben R. Patel and the late Ramanbhai B. Patel. He received a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar and a Master's of Science also in Electrical Engineering at the University of California at Berkeley. Gautam also was member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. He was a leader, teacher, and a spiritual inspiration to many. Surviving Gautam are his mother Shantaben R. Patel, son Rahul Patel of Austin, TX; his daughter, Devanshi Patel of Houston, TX; his granddaughter, Himani Patel; and his sister, Susmita Rohit Amin of Austin, TX. Preceding him in death is his sister, Dhruva Lalit Desai. In lieu of Flowers, the family wishes donations to be made to "UNICEF" (http://www.unicef.org), or a charity of your choice.