Chhaganlal Ambabhai Kalola

Chhaganlal Kalola, more familiarly known as "Kumar", was born to his parents Ratanben and Ambabhai in the small rural village of Navagam in Gujarat, India on October 1st, 1934. He was the youngest child of 6 siblings.

Despite coming from a humble farming background, Kumar decided to pursue his passion for the highly respected field of engineering at University in Vallabh Vidyanagar, becoming the first person in his extended family to go to college and receive a Bachelor of Science. He then moved to the United States to continue his educational endeavors, receiving his Master's of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. Kumar applied his expertise in the field of Civil Engineering over the next 4 decades, spending much of his career at Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation. After a brief hiatus, Kumar returned back to work for another three years at the age of 74. He reflected back on this time in his career as some of his most rewarding, having the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge civil engineering technologies, but more importantly, to offer his wisdom as a consultant and a mentor to many young engineers in the early stages of their own careers.

Before moving to the United States, Kumar married his future partner of 66 years, Vijaya Kalola (née Patel). The couple settled together in New Jersey, where they would raise their beloved daughters Nina and Bina. The family enjoyed many adventures together, including trips across the country to see the wonders of nature like the Grand Canyon.

On one of his trips back to India in his 30s, Kumar found profound inspiration in the spirituality and generosity of the Swaminarayan religion. He would go on to spend much of his time as a devout and diligent member of this community, dedicating his life to the pursuit of love, peace, joy, honesty, kindness, generosity, justice, positivity, and forgiveness, not only for himself and his family but all those around him.

Indeed, he gave back much of his time and energy to others, guiding hundreds of friends, family, and fellow countrymen from India to pursue their passions and set down roots in the United States just as he had. Kumar was an engaged leader in other respects as well, whether he was acting as president of the Patidar Cultural Association or sharing his cumulative years of knowledge on health and spirituality with the world around him. Ultimately, after finding god within himself, his true calling was helping others discover that same divinity within themselves through the pursuit of health, generosity, and spiritual devotion. To quote one of his mentees: “Kumar was a pioneer at living the true life of a karma yogi. He was a teacher, a mentor, and most of all the kindest person I have come across. You were blessed to have the opportunity to spend time with someone like Kumarbhai.”

He is survived by his wife Vijaya, daughters Nina and Bina, sons-in-law Atul and Islam, and grandchildren and their partners, Aspen, Sienna, Lexi, and Dan.

The viewing and puja will be on Sunday, September 19th, 2026, beginning at 12:00 pm at LeRoy P. Wooster Funeral Home & Crematory, 441 White Horse Pike. Atco, NJ, 08004. Cremation to follow privatley.To view the livestream and recording of the funeral services please click here.

We invite all who knew and loved Kumar to join us in honoring his memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you consider donating to the Carter Center for Peacekeeping, a cause close to Kumar’s heart and reflective of his value by clicking here.