Dr. Nagalingam Suntharalingam
(Ph.D in Physics)
Date of Birth: 18 June 1933 - Deceased: 20 March 2024
Dr. N. Suntharalingam, loving husband of Siva, father of three, grandfather of six and great grandfather of five, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 surrounded by the love and gratitude of his family.
He was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) and attended Royal College and then the University of Ceylon-Colombo where he earned an undergraduate degree in Physics, Honors.
He pursued further education in England before arriving in the United States in 1959.
He received a Ph.D in Medical Physics from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI and then returned to Philadelphia to begin a long career at Jefferson Medical College, part of Jefferson Health System.
He spent the next three decades establishing an international reputation as a leader in the field of Medical Physics.
He has been recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career including fellowship in many of his profession’s national societies.
He is one of the few in the world to have received both the Coolidge Gold Medal award from the AAPM, and the Marvin D Williams Professional Achievement Award of the ACMP.
His love of family was the hallmark of his life.
He lived with the understanding that “to whom much is given, much will be required.”
His life of service was embodied in his dedication to those in need whether it was his extended family throughout the world or through his work with the International Medical Health Organization.
He has left a legacy that is defined by love and adoration that will be carried forth by all who have known him.
Viewing Details:-
Sunday March 24th - 2:00 P.M.to 4:00 P.M.
Bradley Funeral Home
601, Route 73 South at Evesham Road
Marlton , NJ 08053
Funeral Service Details:-
Monday March 25th 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M
Franklin Memorial Park
1800 Route 27
North Brunswick, NJ 08902
Repast Details:-
Dr. Suntharalingam's family would like you to join for repast @Arusuvai Restaurant in North Brunswick after the funeral rites on Monday.
Arusuvai Indian Restaurant
1626, US-130
North Brunswick, NJ 08902
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests tht any donations be made in his name to the
International Medical Health Organization, P.O. Box 341466, Columbus, OH 43234.
www.tamilthakaval.org
"It was a pleasure to know this man. He understood life and the role we all have in building a better world. He knew his deep understanding of physics and his passion for teaching could forever change this world for the better and he set to work making it happen. "
- David Jaffray (Canada & USA, 09/04/2024 21:01)
"Heartfelt condolences on my own behalf as well as on behalf of Association of Medical Physicists of India (AMPI). Dr Suntharalingam was a loving person for all of us and used to provide his expert opinion on almost every aspects of our activities. A strong and bold voice of medical physics has taken rest for ever.
- President, AMPI"
- Sunil Dutt Sharma (India, 27/03/2024 21:46)
"Heartfelt condolences on my own behalf and on behalf of Association of Medical Physicists of India (AMPI). We have lost a strong and bold voice of medical physics. Dr Suntharalingam was a loving elder for all of us. May the soul rest in peace.
- President, AMPI (Dr S D Sharma)"
- Sunil Dutt Sharma (India, 27/03/2024 21:04)
"Dr Suntha, You were a model for all Medical Physicists. Thank you for warmly sharing your wisdom and also for every kindnesses, rest in peace. Sympathies and healing wishes for all of your family. My mom also passed in March. Alicia Harris, Harris Medical Physics Consultants"
- Alicia Harris (USA, 27/03/2024 19:14)
"Rest In Peace, Dr. Suntha! You have helped so many people over the years, including me. I will always cherish those fond memories. Heart felt condolences to the family members."
- Manny Subramanian (USA, 26/03/2024 19:29)
"Dear Siva,
Lucy and I were very sad to learn of Suntha’s passing. He was a fine man, professionally and personally. We have many fond memories of you and Suntha and your family while he was attending the University of Wisconsin for his Ph.D. degree. All of our children were in pre-school at the time, and yours were very similar in age to ours. I still remember going to local parks for pleasant visits between our families. I also well remember working with you on the early bone densitometry project. Please convey our sincere condolences to the rest of your family.
Jim and Lucy Sorenson
Madison, WI
"
- Jim and Lucy Sorenson (US, 26/03/2024 06:01)
"Dr. Suntha was a giant who helped lay the foundation for us to succeed. Through it all, he was a gentleman, a scholar, and a teacher to so many of us. We thank him. "
- John W Wong (United States, 26/03/2024 00:08)
"Dr Suntha was the head of the Medical Physics department at Thomas Jefferson University and I joined his team in 1979 just after completing my degree. He was an amazing and visionary leader who inspired everyone who worked with him. After I left Jefferson, I continued to see Dr Suntha and Siva at national scientific meetings and they were always extremely friendly supportive. He left an enduring legacy and he will be missed by many. "
- Mark Madsen (United States, 25/03/2024 23:41)
"As a colleague of Dr. Suntharalingam at Thomas Jefferson University, I had the privilege of experiencing firsthand his unwavering dedication and his passion for advancing the field of radiation oncology. His knowledge, guidance, and mentorship were invaluable to me and countless others, shaping not only our careers but also our outlook on life. Beyond his professional achievements, Suntha and his wife Siva were kind, compassionate, and generous. Suntha always took the time to listen, encourage, and uplift those around him, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for learning and growth. I am forever grateful for the impact Suntha had on my life and the lives of so many others. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide us as we strive to follow in his footsteps and make a positive difference in the world. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. May they find solace in the memories of his remarkable life and the profound impact he had on all who knew him."
- Andrew Maidment (United States, 25/03/2024 21:23)
"Dr. Suntha has been a great leader in the field of medical physics, He mentored so many and lead important research to advance our field. Personally, I knew him after his retirement, when he hosted the honorable Suntha Lectures at Jefferson. His passion for our field gathered world scholars and kept the Jefferson Physics Legacy alive and thriving. It was an honor to know him. He was an amazing man. Deepest condolences to his wife and children, this is a great loss. May his soul be at peace. "
- Amy Harrison (United States, 25/03/2024 19:14)
"I first met Dr. Suntha at AAPM conference in Chicago in 1967 while he was presenting his graduate work on TLD materials. In 1974 I joined his team at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. I had a very long interaction with him and his family for the next 2 decades , where he groomed me in as a therapy physicist and professional. I always admired him for his courage and expression. My heartfelt condolences to Siva and family. Ayyangar M Komanduri"
- Ayyangar m Komanduri (United States, 25/03/2024 17:31)
"Dr. Suntharalingam, his wife Siva, and their family have been known to me for over five decades. They have been very dear to me and my family. First I met him as an IAEA sponsored visiting professor at Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Bombay, India. He took interest in advancing the careers of many including me. I moved to USA at his prompting. I thank him, for his encouragement then, at that beginning, and over later years till my retirement. His words to all, were always encouraging. His scientific talks were enlightening and informing. Many will make sure not to miss his presentation. He was well respected and participated in meetings all aroud the world. He carried himself with great dignity. He maintained great personal and friendly relationship with many. The medical phusics community will warmly remember him and owes much to him. I personally admire him and thank him. My hearfelt condolences to his wife and family members.
Subramania Jayaraman"
- Subramania Jayaraman (USA, 25/03/2024 10:44)
"I first met Suntha at an AAPM Summer School in Burlington VT in 1976. I was in the process of leaving an academic position and transitioning to clinical Medical Physics. His advice to me at that time was extremely helpful in deciding my professional path forward. Through all these years since, I found Sunta to be an extremely caring, compassionate human being, thoughtful, wise as well as a consummate professional. He will be missed. He left much behind but his legacy continues. My condolences to his family and his many friends."
- Steve Nagy (USA, 25/03/2024 09:50)
"He was a doyen of medical physics, a leader in his own right, a humble human being and all that one can expect from an exemplary human being. May he rest in peace."
- Madan Rehani (United States, 25/03/2024 05:43)
"My mentor, a caring teacher, a man with vision. RIP"
- Raymond K Wu (United States, 25/03/2024 03:17)
"Heartfelt condolences. I met him and his wife few year ago at AAPM conference. I am also in the same profession and worked with him during my time at IAEA. May his soul rest in peace . Ohm shanthi "
- Dr Sivananthan SARASANANDARAJAH (Australia , 23/03/2024 08:07)
"Rest In Peace. Our heartfelt condolences to all the family members."
- Tamil Thakaval Team (22/03/2024 03:23)