Chelliah Rathinam Richmonds (C.R.R.)

Psalms 90:12 - Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Chelliah Rathinam Richmonds (C.R.R.), a beloved father, husband, son, brother, grandpa, and great grandpa went home to be with his Lord on August 19, 2022. He was born at home in a village in Tamil Nadu, India in 1939, and was 8 years old when India regained her independence. He was affectionately called Alex by his parents and close family.

C.R.R. was born to S. John Chelliah, a banker/accountant and J. Kamalam Victoria, a teacher/school principal. He was a second-generation Christ-follower, after his father came to faith in Jesus from a Hindu background. C.R.R. was the eldest of six children and is survived by his two sisters who reside in India.

Graduating early at the top of his class and completing his higher education, C.R.R. obtained his professorship at the American College in Madurai, where he taught zoology for many years. He loved teaching his students. He was also vested in serving at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in India as a deacon and a treasurer.

C.R.R. was married to Kanaga in 1965. They were blessed with three children: Kiruba/Annie (Thomas George), Reuban (Kash), and Benjamin (Priya).

In his early forties, he emigrated to the U.S. with his family of five. After the immediate loss of his beloved wife Kanaga in 1983, he endured hardship in his new country as a single parent of three children. During these lean years, he relied on his God and extended family for strength and support as he finished his Ph.D. at Kent State University. As Dr. Chelliah Richmonds, he worked at Cleveland Metro Hospital and then went on to be a researcher at Case Western Reserve University for many years. He also obtained his U.S. citizenship in his newly adopted country.

In 1985, he married Rajkumari. They were blessed with a daughter, Carolyn (Stephen Wilke). Together, they loved being part of Parma Heights Baptist Church for many years and enjoyed serving there. After Rajkumari died in 2018, C.R.R. lived his final years with his children.

“Appa,” as he was affectionately called by his children, was blessed with seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. He cherished his family, took joy in laughter, and enjoyed preparing and savoring delicious food. Our Appa embodied a life of love and service in line with 1 Corinthians 13: humble, loyal, faithful, gentle, and kind. He was hardworking and had a tenacious faith. Tested by the fire of life, he yielded to his God and thereby taught us how to persevere and live by faith amidst suffering.

All of his children including their spouses are grateful and proud to have had him as our Appa. He left a quiet but steadfast influence of deep faith in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. We celebrate his life of 83 years on this earth with the hope of worshiping our great God together with him for all of eternity.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to World Relief or the Alzheimer’s Association .