Giri Dhar Sharma

It is with profound love and reverence that we share the peaceful passing of Mr. Giri Dhar Sharma, aged 95, on October 18, 2025, in Chicago, USA.

Fondly known as Papa, Nana, Baba, and Super Nana, he was the heart of a family that spanned four generations and was cherished deeply by all. He is survived by his three children — Shachi Sharma and her husband Dr. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Sudeep Sharma and his wife Dr. Rashmi Sharma, and Dr. Sameer Sharma and his wife Dr. Divya Sharma. He was the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren — Dr. Sonia Sharma (spouse Rajen Raythatha), Dr. Shivani Sharma (spouse Samarth Sharma), Shravan Sharma (spouse Shivani J. Sharma), Suraj, Roshni, Diya, Krisha, and Arjun Sharma — and a beloved great-grandfather to Riaan and Shyla Raythatha, Sarina and Syra Sharma, and Sumitra Sharma.

A Mechanical Engineer from BITS Pilani and an MBA graduate of the Bajaj Institute of Management, Mumbai, Mr. Sharma dedicated his life to advancing industrial development across the world. His distinguished career included training in Japan, serving with the Planning Commission of India, and later working with the United Nations. His assignments took him to Tanzania, Nigeria, the Fiji Islands, and Guyana, where he played a pivotal role in promoting industrial growth and economic progress in partnership with national leaders. His work stood as a testament to his lifelong commitment to progress, collaboration, and the industrialization of communities across continents.

He shared a lifelong love of travel with his late wife, Mrs. Shyama Sharma, and together they opened the world to their children. Born in an era before the television or jet engine, he embraced every wave of innovation with remarkable enthusiasm. His curiosity and zest for learning made him an avid user of social media, through which he remained joyfully connected to friends and family around the globe.

A deeply spiritual man, he was a devoted reader and follower of the Bhagavad Gita, living by the verse:

“One must perform their prescribed duties without any expectation or attachment to the fruits or results of their actions.” — Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 47

Visitation Wednesday, October 22, 205 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home & Crematory, 15525 South 73rd Avenue, Orland Park, IL 60462. Visitation continues on Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. with remembrances from 11:30 am. until time of Puja Service 1:00 p.m. A live stream of the service will be available.  Link is posted below. 

We warmly welcome all who wish to join us in honoring his remarkable life and paying their respects to a man whose kindness, wisdom, and humility will continue to guide us always.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Bharatiya Temple of Northwest Indiana 8605 Merrillville Rd., Merrillville, IN 46410. Click here to donate online.

Om Shanti 🙏

May his soul attain eternal peace in the Divine Light.