Kamal Agarwal
January 10, 1950 ~ September 9, 2020
Kamal Agarwal
January 10, 1950 – September 9, 2020
Kamal Agarwal, beloved husband, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend passed away on September 9, 2020 at his home in McLean, VA at age of 70. Kamal was a warm, loving, kind, and caring person, a rock of support for his family, and a soulmate for his dear wife Katherine (“Katie”), who passed away just thirteen days earlier after a short battle with cancer. Although his loved ones are distraught by his passing, we know that he is at peace because he and his inseparable Katie are together again.
Kamal was born in 1950 in New Delhi, India and grew up primarily in Delhi, Calcutta and Bombay. He attended the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, where he graduated with a BTech in Chemical Engineering in 1972. He distinguished himself as an avid Cricketer while in IIT. He came to the United States in 1972 to join his parents, who were posted in the Indian Embassy in Washington DC. Kamal earned his MBA from the University of Maryland in 1974 and got involved in the shipping brokerage business and built a very successful private company. He met Katie in 1975, and they were married for 41 joy-filled years.
Kamal was grateful for his material successes and always gave back to his community generously. He and Katie set up a Foundation in India that focuses on identifying and educating girls from underprivileged families so that they might have a better life. He also gave substantial donations to his alma mater IIT, Kanpur.
Kamal was an avid reader, brilliant conversationalist with an appropriate joke for all occasions and a gracious host, who, along with Katie, routinely welcomed dozens of extended family members to stay in their home for Thanksgiving and July 4th reunions. He was “Kamal mama” to all the younger generation who, particularly enjoyed his good natured challenges to debate and disagree with him during the happy family gatherings over the last 26 years. His loved ones will remember joyous times spent on controversial political discussions, detailed analysis of football and other sports, competitive bridge games, and marathon chat sessions into the wee hours of the morning. Kamal was passionate about cricket and would often fly to the Caribbean Islands to watch the Test Matches. He also loved going on cruises with Katie and his sisters, Manju and Chandan.
Kamal leaves behind his older sister Manju Mithal and younger sister Chandan Agarwal, his nephew Rahul Mithal, his niece Salone Mithal Ghosh. He leaves behind Margaret Jones, Katie’s sister, who lived with them and was a tower of strength to both Katie during the course of her illness and, to Kamal during the days of grief while he mourned for his beloved “Katie.”
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, the ASPCA, and Doctors Without Borders.
January 10, 1950 – September 9, 2020
Kamal Agarwal, beloved husband, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend passed away on September 9, 2020 at his home in McLean, VA at age of 70. Kamal was a warm, loving, kind, and caring person, a rock of support for his family, and a soulmate for his dear wife Katherine (“Katie”), who passed away just thirteen days earlier after a short battle with cancer. Although his loved ones are distraught by his passing, we know that he is at peace because he and his inseparable Katie are together again.
Kamal was born in 1950 in New Delhi, India and grew up primarily in Delhi, Calcutta and Bombay. He attended the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, where he graduated with a BTech in Chemical Engineering in 1972. He distinguished himself as an avid Cricketer while in IIT. He came to the United States in 1972 to join his parents, who were posted in the Indian Embassy in Washington DC. Kamal earned his MBA from the University of Maryland in 1974 and got involved in the shipping brokerage business and built a very successful private company. He met Katie in 1975, and they were married for 41 joy-filled years.
Kamal was grateful for his material successes and always gave back to his community generously. He and Katie set up a Foundation in India that focuses on identifying and educating girls from underprivileged families so that they might have a better life. He also gave substantial donations to his alma mater IIT, Kanpur.
Kamal was an avid reader, brilliant conversationalist with an appropriate joke for all occasions and a gracious host, who, along with Katie, routinely welcomed dozens of extended family members to stay in their home for Thanksgiving and July 4th reunions. He was “Kamal mama” to all the younger generation who, particularly enjoyed his good natured challenges to debate and disagree with him during the happy family gatherings over the last 26 years. His loved ones will remember joyous times spent on controversial political discussions, detailed analysis of football and other sports, competitive bridge games, and marathon chat sessions into the wee hours of the morning. Kamal was passionate about cricket and would often fly to the Caribbean Islands to watch the Test Matches. He also loved going on cruises with Katie and his sisters, Manju and Chandan.
Kamal leaves behind his older sister Manju Mithal and younger sister Chandan Agarwal, his nephew Rahul Mithal, his niece Salone Mithal Ghosh. He leaves behind Margaret Jones, Katie’s sister, who lived with them and was a tower of strength to both Katie during the course of her illness and, to Kamal during the days of grief while he mourned for his beloved “Katie.”
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, the ASPCA, and Doctors Without Borders.
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Kamal and Katie were my next door neighbours for many years and made sure that I was regularly included in many dinners, parties, and fun debates. We would have joke-telling contests that would dissolve into fits of laughter. Kamal was an amazing story and joke teller, but his kindness to others (me especially, where he consistently supported my career) will be most remembered.
So sorry to hear about Kamal’s and Katie’s passing. I met Kamal many years ago through his shipping brokerage business. We became friends and enjoyed playing squash together as well as great meals and good laughs. It’s been a long time since we have spoken but he is well remembered.
I have fond memories of him playing cricket in my cricket club-Potomac Cricket club in Washington, he contributed as opening bowler. On behalf of PCC I convey my deepest sorrow at his passing. Vishaw K Mohan@Gmail.com
Kamal and Jamal were friends for many,many years until the day he died. The four of us had so many good times spending every New Year’s Eve together, playing bridge, eating good food and just being together. Our paths went separate ways a while ago but They were both good people – rest in peace Katie & Kamal TOGETHER, Cathy Javaid
We first met Kamal mama and Katie mami about 17 years back. From the day we met them, they made us feel welcome. Later when we had kids, both mama and mami enjoyed having the kids over (summer pool party!) and the kids too loved meeting them and their loving cats!
Kamal mama could talk on any topic – traditional Indian foods, local restaurant ratings, cricket, politics, and more. We (including the kids) are grateful for the lovely gifts that we received over the years from mama and mami, and the good moments shared on various occasions such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. We still have his collection of cricket books he gave us, which clearly shows his passion for the game. We are also grateful for things we have learned from mama – spending wisely, punctuality, and more.
We still can’t believe that both mama and mami are both gone. I guess it will hit us more in the coming months. We sincerely pray for their departed souls – and we hope that the two souls are together again. Om Shanti.
Vishal and Surabhi