In memoriam: Murty S. Kuntamukkula

Murty S. Kuntamukkula passed away Monday, January 22, 2024 in Augusta, Ga at age 74.

He was born April 1, 1949 in Kakinada, India, the second child of seven, to parents Ramachandra Rao and Subbalakshmi Kuntamukkula.

A learned man who was passionate about education, he first earned his B.S. at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, before moving to the United States where he earned his Master's Degree at the Chicago Institute of Technology. He then completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering at Rice University, going on to do his post-doctoral studies at the University of Delaware. He also gave the gift of education by teaching, first at New Mexico State University, and then at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

After leaving New Mexico, he moved to Georgia, where he worked at Savannah River Site for 29 years. Murty was on the team responsible for writing the Department of Energy's handbook on creating a Chemical Management Program used throughout the DOE Complex. His work at the Savannah River Site included analyzing chemical storage areas across the Site to ensure safe storage. His work for the Chemical Industry included several handbooks on safe chemical storage and handling used across the world. Many of the chemical safety guidelines he wrote are still in use today. His contributions to SRS and the Chemical Industry are recognized as setting the standards for safety, and set an impressive precedent of 14 years with no accidents. He even earned the Closing the Circle Award from the White House for this valuable work.

Murty is survived by his beloved wife of over 40 years, Jayasri. They married in 1983, and travelled the world together, their adventures taking them across five continents, cruises being a frequent mode of travel, and he was an amazing photographer. He was also a fervent fan of golf and tennis. He will be remembered for his big laugh that echoed across the room. Murty was a man who loved life, and lived it well.

The family will receive friends and family to celebrate Murty's life and pay their respects at Platt's Funeral Home, in Evans, Ga on Friday, January 26, 2024 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM.