Esteemed Educator Chitra Adarkar Passes Away at 91

Chitra Adarkar, a respected educator and a cherished family member, passed away on October 31, 2025, at the age of 91. She died peacefully at her home in Manhattan Beach, California, surrounded by her three children: Swati, Ashwin, and Sachin. Her passing marks the end of a life dedicated to family, education, and service.

Born as Chitra Joshi on September 25, 1934, in Pune, India, she was the daughter of Shridhar Sarvottam Joshi and Sontara Joshi. Chitra’s childhood was spent primarily in Varanasi, where her father served as the principal of the Science College at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). She also enjoyed summers at her maternal grandparents’ home in Pune, where family gatherings were abundant.

Chitra demonstrated a remarkable aptitude for learning from a young age. After graduating from BHU, she received a gold medal for her outstanding performance in the Math, Physics, and Statistics Department. Following her academic achievements, she sat for the Indian Civil Service Exam, being one of fewer than 100 candidates selected from nearly 1 million applicants nationwide. Her first diplomatic assignment took her to the Indian embassy in Vienna, Austria.

In a twist of fate, Chitra’s life took a new direction on August 4, 1959, at the docks of Mumbai. There, she met Dilip Adarkar, who was set to travel to Stanford University to pursue a PhD in mechanical engineering. Their initial meeting blossomed into a lifelong partnership, culminating in their marriage on December 28, 1960, in Menlo Park, California.

Chitra joined Dilip at Stanford, where she earned an MSc in statistics. In 1963, they relocated to Southern California, where Dilip began a successful career in the aerospace industry while Chitra took on the role of a math teacher at El Camino College. Their family grew as they settled in Manhattan Beach, where they raised their three children and later welcomed a son-in-law, two daughters-in-law, and seven grandchildren.

Despite the loss of Dilip in 2019, Chitra remained active and engaged throughout her later years. She found joy in simple pleasures, such as walking, watching tennis and movies, tending to her garden, solving crossword puzzles, and keeping up with the latest political news. Her ultimate joy came from spending time with family, particularly in her final days when she cherished holding her first great-grandchild, Kavi, at just three months old.

Chitra Adarkar’s legacy is one of dedication to education and family values. For those wishing to honor her memory, the family suggests donations to Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, or the Sierra Club. Her life serves as a testament to the power of knowledge, love, and community.