Venkatachalam "Ram" Ramaswamy

Venkatachalam “Ram” Ramaswamy

(28 April 1955 – 21 June 2026)

It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Venkatachalam “Ram” Ramaswamy, a beloved husband, father and climate scientist. Ram passed away peacefully in Philadelphia on June 21, 2026, following a hard-fought battle with brain hemorrhages and glioblastoma for more than seven months. He is survived by his wife, Khantha, and daughter, Shalini.

Ram, or Ramu as he was affectionately called, was born in Chennai (Madras) in South India, on April 28, 1955. Born an only child, he is predeceased by his parents Ekambaram Venkatachalam (father) and Saraswathi Venkatachalam (mother). Ramu grew up in Kanpur in North India and his parents ensured that their son had the best education from primary school up to college. He graduated from the Methodist School (Kanpur) in 1971 and went on to earn his undergraduate and master’s degrees in physics from the University of Delhi in 1974 and 1976, respectively. His master’s thesis examined the distortion of microwave signals by non-spherical raindrops and spurred his quest for scientific research. It led him to apply to graduate school in the U.S. and in September 1977, Ram (the name he adopted in adulthood) arrived to do doctoral research at Purdue University in Indiana with Professor Petr Chylek.

During his Ph.D., Ram had the opportunity to move with his advisor and spend time at various institutions around the country — Purdue, Harvard, MIT, Tufts, SUNY Albany and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. This unique opportunity gave him a rich graduate student experience and enriched his love for science and the country. In his spare time, he loved exploring the outdoors, hiking, camping and making new friends. Ram obtained his Ph.D. in atmospheric science from SUNY Albany in 1982. He then began his independent research career as a post-doctoral scientist at NCAR. He broadened his research areas from the physics of clouds to pursue large-scale atmospheric physics problems, working with many brilliant scientists who shaped his future career. In September 1985, Ram joined the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) in Princeton, New Jersey, as a visiting scientist.

Over the course of four decades at GFDL, Ram established himself as a world‑renowned climate scientist. His research provided fundamental insights into radiative interactions involving greenhouse gases, aerosols, and clouds, their effects on weather and climate processes. Ram rose through the ranks, moving from a Group Leader to Senior Scientist between 1995 – 2000. In 2008, he was appointed as the fourth Director of the lab. During his tenure, GFDL grew into a research powerhouse providing integrated models of the world’s weather and climate with improved predictive capabilities for assessing societal impacts of severe storms and sea level rise on land/marine ecosystems over short and long timescales. Ram also served as a Lecturer with the rank of Professor in the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Program at Princeton University. He was a mentor to many Ph. D. students and postdoctoral fellows. Ram took deep pride in sharing his knowledge with students, colleagues, collaborators around the world and worked tirelessly to promote the next generation of scientists.

Ram’s scientific influence also extended far beyond GFDL. He played a central role in major international climate assessments, most notably as a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. His expertise was sought by global scientific bodies, and over the years he earned numerous accolades for his groundbreaking work. He became one of only a handful of researchers to win the World Meteorological Organization’s Norbert‑Gerbier MUMM International Award three times. Among his highest honors were the Distinguished Executive Presidential Rank Award in 2018 for his leadership at GFDL and many honors and awards from the American Meteorological Society and the American Geophysical Union. In April 2025, Ram was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, crowning a lifetime of scientific achievements.

As Ram’s career began to take shape, he met his wife, Khantha, in 1984 while she was pursuing her Ph.D. in physics in Madras. From their shared love of physics to their mutual hopes of building a life together in the States, their connection grew quickly and deeply. Ram and Khantha married on June 25, 1986, and a year later, she joined him in the U.S. to begin their lives together. In November 1997, Ram and Khantha welcomed the birth of their daughter, Shalini. Amidst his busy work schedule, Ram always made time to share his love of traveling with Shalini on father-daughter trips. After the sudden passing of his father in 1998, Ram brought his mother to live with his wife and daughter. Ram’s greatest joys were to give his mother a loving secure home in her adopted country, be a wonderful husband and raise Shalini in a multi-generational household. He was proud to see Shalini grow and establish herself professionally in New York City.

Ram always delighted in life’s simple pleasures – traveling, enjoying good food, watching movies, singing and, of course, all done with a good sense of humor. To know Ram was to know his love for food – especially Indian food – and he had a remarkable knack for discovering the best Indian restaurants in even the most far‑flung corners of the world. His colleagues around the world fondly remember the wonderful Indian meals they have shared with Ram during various conferences and meetings over the years. His illustrious career allowed him to visit nearly 50 countries across six continents. He shared his love for traveling with his family and friends, taking memorable vacations to India, Italy, Tanzania, Greece, England, France, The Netherlands and more. One of Ram’s lifelong passions was watching cricket, from test matches to the World Cup. He often joked that if physics hadn’t been his calling, he just might have made India’s cricket team. He was a talented singer and would not miss an opportunity to sing at a monthly karaoke music club, even if he had to drive there on his way either to or from the airport. He adored his family – from uncles and aunts to cousins, nieces and nephews — and always ensured to visit them often around the world. Ram also treasured his school and college years, keeping in touch with many of his dear classmates all his life and reuniting with them often in India and the U.S. He cherished his mentors, students, colleagues and friends in many continents. He always credited them for enriching his scientific explorations through ideas, discussions and long-term collaborations.

Ram embraced life with an infectious joy, living each day to its fullest, working many long hours and savoring every experience. In doing so, he touched countless lives, leaving behind a legacy of brilliant scientific achievements and a lasting impact on climate science. He led a humble life showing warmth and love towards all. There was absolutely nothing that could dampen his spirits. He would gather his inner strength and always work to make things better. This firm conviction remained until the end when illness struck suddenly; he never bemoaned but remained grateful for his blessings. He bore his final health battle with grace. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and colleagues.

Those who would like to pay their respects to Ram and support his family during this time are invited to a viewing at Lester Memorial Home, 16 West Church Street, Jamesburg, New Jersey, 08831, on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 4:00-7:00 pm. A funeral Puja, viewing and last rites/cremation will take place at The Crematory at Holy Cross, 840 Cranbury - South River Road, East Brunswick, New Jersey, 08816, on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 9:30am.

We encourage you to share your fondest memories and photographs of Ram on his memorial page. Your words and images will serve as a testament to his life, his work, and the love he shared with those around him. Let's remember and celebrate Venkatachalam "Ram" Ramaswamy together for the remarkable man he was.