Rakki Goundan Elangovan

What a great man! Full of energy! I remember when Rakki was learning to fly and he would tell the techs not to say anything because worried so much about him. We all did! Great Man!!!

Dr. R. Elangovan was an amazing person. I never knew someone with so much energy and zest, to work so hard and fully experience all that life has to offer. Not knowing him in his earlier years, we came to know and love him in Milwaukee. He was always keen that we should have a good time. He used to get old Laurel and Hardy movies and screen them so that we could enjoy viewing these films together. Last year when I saw Dr. Elangovan and the family they faced his illness with his characteristic, indomitable spirit. May Dr. Elangovan’s soul attain moksha. I wish my aunt, Lakshmi, Ganesh, Siva, and the rest of the family all the love and support through this difficult time. —Nallakumar

Dearest Aunty, Ganesh, Siva and Family, Our deepest condolences on uncles’ passing. May he Rest In Peace . Raji, Aravazhi and Amma

We share the memories and sorrow with Rukku akka and kids at the passing of Dr Elangovan uncle Chander Devaraj MD Greenwich , CT and members of ECC family (Besant Nagar, Chennai)

Dear Anna, I remember like yesterday the years we spent in Tiruchengodu as one family with you as our big brother. Those were the happiest days. May you Rest In Peace .

Dr. Elangovan is a Great loss to family ,friends, and community. Not only he was a great doctor but a very sincere friend to us. We enjoyed his company and support since he came to Pittsburgh, USA. He was just like a family member to us. May God grant peace to his soul and give enough courage to family to bear the loss. We will pray for his noble soul and good memories created by him will stay in our hearts. OM SHANTI, SHANTI

great gentleman, great family man, great smile. a doctor's doctor. awesome photographer. modest, ready to help everyone. our prayers for lakshmi, ganesh, siva, shanti, sai, and, veer. he helped thousands and thousands of patients.

I will always remember our Tiruchengodu days. We shall miss you Anna.

We are extremely sorry to know of the very sad news of the passing of Respected Dr.Elangovan. Please accept our heartfelt condolences. May God be with Rukku Akka and family at this difficult time. May Dr.Elangovan's Soul Rest in Peace. With deepest sympathies, Rani and V.Kulandaisamy (Houston, Texas.)

Lakshmi and family, sincerest condolences. Lilian and I share fond memories with you all going back to grade school days at BA. I will always treasure my professional association with Rakki at St. Marys Hospital. In photography he repeatedly advised me to use a “ prime lens. He was a Gentleman and the consummate physician. May God hold him in the palm of his hand.

I never had the opportunity to meet Dr. Elangovan in person, but about thirty years ago, he diagnosed my condition with malaria fever over the phone which I had for a few months due to misdiagnoses from other doctors. Many doctors in the US were unfamiliar with the symptoms but Dr. Elango was able to quickly assess and diagnose me which helped me finally start my recovery process. He truly saved my life. I am grateful for his timely help and have had the honor of witnessing how passionate he is as a doctor.

My family and I express our deepest sympathies and most sincere condolences at the demise of Dr.Elangovan. We have known him for several years, and were struck by his passion for his work as an anaesthesiologist, his commitment to his patients, his affection for, and his devotion to, his family, friends, and community, and his humility. He went out of his way to help people in need. His achievements were many, he was a doctor's doctor, and an inspiration to many youngsters. He was ever willing to give well thought out advice to those who sought it. He was a happy and kind man, and we will miss him a lot. A great loss to his family, friends, profession, and community. Om Shanti. --- Ramesh, Meera, Ramanathan.

Lakshmi, Ganesh, Siva and family I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the services as I am recovering from a total knee replacement

May his passing be viewed as a continuation of his journey.

Dr. Rakki Elangovan came into my life when I was an impressionable fifteen-year-old when he married my sister Lakshmi Elangovan. With his strong views on pretty much every topic, he made a significant impact on me. He constantly challenged me to put forth my best and hung a few “carrots” for a fifteen-year-old to stay focused through the teenage years (and it worked!). My sister and Mama (as I affectionately call him) played a key role in helping me migrate to the US. When I landed in the US to do my master’s in engineering, the bond deepened. He became my father and my older brother rolled into one (since I never had a biological brother, I experienced what it is to have one). Father, because he would not put up with any of my nonsense (which, as a young adult, I dished out generously), brother because he was always there for me no matter what, and I could count on him. Yes, I was blessed with his unconditional love. So many people go through their life without experiencing true unconditional love outside of their parents. I count myself as one of the lucky ones to experience that unconditional love from him. To this date, I wonder what made him bestow that kindness on me. I know he was an excellent anesthesiologist and was well respected by his colleagues and the medical community of Milwaukee at large. He was my unofficial physician, my go-to person for all medical issues. Although he was a doctor, he was very interested in understanding mechanical things. He would often quiz me on how things worked and enjoyed being a handyman around the house (he had an extensive collection of tools and was very proud of it!). I would call him a “closet engineer.” He was a passionate photographer who used to patiently wait for hours for the “right cloud formation” to shoot an outdoor scenery. Both of us shared a passion for automobiles, and much to my sister’s annoyance, we would spend hours discussing the finer points of different automobiles. In his later years, he became a doting granddad and thoroughly enjoyed his grandkids. Over the years, I learned a few things about Mama that I found interesting and funny…in fact, I could call them “Mama’s Maxims.” I have shared a few below…. One cannot have enough tools in the house. One cannot have enough clocks/watches in the house One cannot have enough thermometers in the house One cannot have enough cameras in the house And lastly, One cannot study enough to become proficient in his field. I cherish my time with Mama and will miss him dearly.

Dr Elangovan is such a lovely human being, always ready to help anyone known or unknown. I had met Dr Elangovan only few times during his visits to India and whenever I had the opportunity to meet him, I would be amazed to see the level of his energy and on how he can of any help to me etc. Dr Elangovan, you will be missed. RIP. Heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife Mrs Lakshmi and sons, Ganesh and Siva.

I will miss that mischievous twinkle in your eye when playing with the kids. God Bless

So sorry for your loss. I worked at Children’s Hospital and at St Mary’s ICU. Such a wonderful doctor. Always had our utmost respect. RIP Dr. E

Lakshmi, I am so sorry for your loss. I was the Deputy Clerk in River Hills and ran the Building Board in the 1990s, and remember what a pleasure it was to work with you on your house. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

The Elangovan's were our next door neighbors in Brookfield in 1977 before they moved to River Hills We are so sad to hear of his passing. Our sincere condolences to Lakshmi, Ganesh and Siva for your loss. Ganesh used to call Tom "Tom uncle"

Peace

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.