Jalamsinh Punwar

MADISON- Dr. Jalamsinh Kalyansinh Punwar passed away peacefully on December 15th, 2014 after a long illness. He was born on March 25, 1923 in the small village of Babrol, Sant State (now Gujarat), India.

His parents were Kalyansinh and Gulab Punwar and he was related to the Maharajah of Sant State. His Highness took an interest in his young relative and funded his education through a B.S. degree at Wadia College in Poona.

He then served as the Maharajah's personal secretary and was sent to the U.S. to study Agricultural Management at Michigan State University with the understanding that he would return to India and manage His Highness's estates. The Maharajah unexpectedly died so Jalam was then free to follow his own interests.

Jalam changed his major to Agricultural Chemistry, earning an M.S. Degree and then came to UW-Madison to pursue a Ph.D. degree in Soil Chemistry where his Professor, Emil Truog, became his mentor. It was at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that he met his future wife Alice Johnson and they were married in 1955.

After completing his degree Jalam was employed by WARF Laboratories as an Analytical Chemist, working in the development of methods to analyze pesticides, pharmaceuticals, environmental contaminants and fats and oils.

He worked for successive laboratory groups, retiring from Hazelton Laboratories in 1987 after 32 years of service. He was a member of the American Chemical Society and the American Oil Chemistry Society.

Jalam enjoyed his post-retirement years, filling them with travel to Asia, Europe and Central and South America. He went golfing weekly with friends, was a member of the Westside Optimist Club and a lifelong member of the Association of Indians in America. While he respected the traditions of his native India, he loved his adopted country and took an active interest in political and civic life. He never missed voting in an election and was a generous contributor to charitable organizations.

Jalam is survived by his wife of 60 years, Alice; two sons, Jay Singh (Kathy) of Monona and Kiran Kumar (Valerie) of Calabasas, CA; three grandchildren, Nathan of Brooklyn, NY, Alissa of Madison and Jillian of Calabasas, CA.; one great-grandchild, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

A memorial gathering to celebrate Jalam's life will be held Saturday, January 17, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd, Madison. Memorial donations may be made to Agrace Hospice or the charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank Agrace Hospice and all of the Bright Star caregivers who helped to make Jalam's last months comfortable and pleasant.

Cress Funeral Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434