V. K. Murthy, 96, passed away on May 12. He was the son of a freedom fighter and Thamirapathra” holder.
He was born in 1915 in the tiny village of Alangadu in Tanjore district.
He was a gold medallist (B.Sc. Mathematics) from Presidency College. He did his Mechanical Engineer (B.E.) from Guindy Engineering College.
He was associated with the design of structures for the Howrah Bridge, Kolkata where he started his career in Jessops Engineering Company.
After moving to Chennai, he became a civil and structural engineer by practice and built several landmark buildings in Chennai including several houses for VIPs and for the former President of India, R. Venkataraman.
He also pioneered tubular structures in Tamil Nadu enabling cost reduction in factory buildings.
A philanthropist and a devotee of Kanchi Mutt he was honoured with the title of “Guru Kaingarya Siromani” by Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal.
His family can be reached at ‘Laurel’s’, 59 & 60 C. P. Ramaswamy Road, Alwarpet. Ph: 4216 9703, 98400 79149.
