Chitra Adarkar, a respected mathematician and educator, died on October 31, 2025, at the age of 91. She passed away peacefully at her home in Manhattan Beach, California, surrounded by her three children, Swati, Ashwin, and Sachin. Her family expressed that it was fitting for her to leave this world enveloped in the warmth of those she cherished most.
Born on September 25, 1934, in Pune, India, Chitra Joshi was the daughter of Shridhar Sarvottam Joshi and Sontara Joshi. She shared her early years with her younger brother Bhaiyya, who was born in 1939. Much of her childhood unfolded in Varanasi, where her father served as the principal of the Science College at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Summers spent at her maternal grandparents’ home in Pune were filled with laughter, as many aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered for family reunions.
Chitra’s academic journey was marked by exceptional achievements. After graduating from BHU, she received a gold medal for being the top student in the Math, Physics, and Statistics Department. This remarkable accomplishment led her to pursue a career in public service. She successfully passed the Indian Civil Service Exam, becoming one of fewer than 100 individuals selected from a pool of almost 1 million applicants. Her first role was at the Indian embassy in Vienna, but her diplomatic tenure was short-lived.
A significant turning point in her life occurred on August 4, 1959, when she accompanied her family to the docks of Mumbai to board a ship bound for Europe. There, her father recognized an old colleague, who introduced her to his son, Dilip Adarkar. Dilip was en route to Stanford University to begin a PhD in mechanical engineering. By the time their ship reached Marseille a week later, Chitra and Dilip knew they were destined to be together and became engaged shortly after.
Chitra left her government position to join Dilip at Stanford, where they married on December 28, 1960, in Menlo Park. While Dilip completed his PhD, Chitra pursued an MSc in statistics. The couple moved to Southern California in 1963, where Dilip embarked on a career in the aerospace industry, and Chitra took on the role of a math teacher at El Camino College.
In 1965, the family settled into a new home in Manhattan Beach, where their three children grew up. Over the years, their family circle expanded to include a son-in-law, two daughters-in-law, and seven grandchildren. Tragically, Dilip passed away in 2019, but Chitra continued to derive joy from the same activities that had defined her life. She cherished walks, tennis matches, movies, her garden, and reading the daily newspaper, especially the crossword puzzle. Engaging with current political events on television and spending quality time with family remained central to her happiness.
Chitra lived 85 of her 91 years in just two homes: her childhood residence in Varanasi and her adult home in Manhattan Beach. In her final days, the joy of holding her first great-grandchild, three-month-old Kavi, brought her immense happiness.
For those wishing to honor her memory, the family suggests donations to organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, or the Sierra Club. Chitra Adarkar’s legacy is one of love, intellect, and a profound commitment to family and education.
