Soma Kumar

Soma Kumar Nayar was born and mostly raised in Lucknow, India.  He was the eldest son of Lakshmi and Ram Nayar, who was Professor of Biochemistry at Lucknow University.  He had a sister, Sarojini, who was one year younger and brother, Siddharth, who was 15 years younger.  His family spent most summer holidays staying with grandparents in Kerala, India, where he would continue his studies over the summer holidays.  In fact, all of his life he would do calculations in Malayalam and everything else in English.

Soma graduated high school in 1939, which was when somehow his last name was erroneously left off his graduation certificate, and that was his first official document as birth certificates weren’t offered at that time.

He graduated from the University of Lucknow, receiving his B.Sc. (with honors) in Chemistry in 1944 and a year later with his M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry.  He worked at the Indian Institute of Medical Science in Bangalore from 1945 to 1948, when he left for the US to complete his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the University of Maryland, which he did in 1953.  He worked on various research projects during this time, including a project of the Atomic Energy Commission in Tennessee.  He was inducted into the scientific honor society Sigma Xi in April 1954 and shortly afterward returned to Lucknow after learning of the passing of his father.

Once back in India, the University of Lucknow, where his father had been Professor of Biochemistry, offered him a position as Lecturer in Biochemistry and his father’s house, so his mother would not have to move.  In 1955 he married Shanta Pillai, the daughter of close family friends, with whom he remained in love to his last day.  The couple moved to New Delhi when he was offered an assistant professorship at the All India Institute of Medical Science in 1956.  Their first daughter, Smiti, was born while there.

In 1958 “by an act of Congress”, he came to Georgetown University as Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, accompanied by Shanta and Smiti.  They lived in Washington, DC at first, where their second daughter, Suneela, and their son, Sanjay, were born.  They moved to Bethesda, MD in 1967, where they bought their home and raised their children.

While on their first vacation without children in 1976, Soma suffered a massive heart attack, but he recovered and was back to work and socializing before long.   

Soma’s surprise “retirement” party was held in 1994 and coincided with his 70th birthday, but his family recalls his continuing to work on and supervise research projects, and chair dissertation committees well into his 80s. 

Soma and Shanta sold their happy home in 2008 and moved to Riderwood Village, where they made friends and attended classes, shows, and happy hours.  Shanta passed away in 2015, one day short of their 60th wedding anniversary.

Throughout his life, Soma Kumar was social and active.  He is the author or co-author of scores of publications and has taught, mentored, or supervised hundreds of students.  He kept in touch with old friends and made new ones. He loved to read and talk about science, politics, and history.  He remained a mentor to many students until he died.  His longevity was called “a miracle of science” by his cardiologist and was certainly a great gift for many.  He passed away peacefully on July 1st, 2020.  He is sorely missed by his 3 loving children and granddaughter, Sage; one special and unofficially adopted child, Louise; extended family and many, many others whose lives he touched.