Born on June 25, 1928, in Pune, India to Keshav H. and Radha (Athalye), Achyut K.

(Raj) Phansalkar was the 4 th of six children. He graduated top of his class from SP

College in Pune (1948), completed his BSc Tech/post-graduate work at the University of

Bombay and earned his doctorate in Chemical Engineering at the University of

Southern California as a Lever Brothers Fellow. In 1955, he began a distinguished 35-

year career at Conoco.

Raj married Tara Deo on April 20, 1952, in Pune, India. Following his PhD, they

relocated to Ponca City, OK. Raj became a recognized leader in underwater oil

exploration traveling the world on international assignments. Named a Distinguished

Lecturer by the Society of Petroleum Engineers, he frequently shared his expertise

globally until his retirement in 1991.

Upon retirement, Raj and Tara returned to Ponca City, where Raj became deeply

involved in the community. He was a dedicated member of the Rotary Club, recognized

as a multiple-time Paul Harris Fellow, and served on the boards of the Cherokee Strip

Credit Union, the Community Affairs Council, and Partners in Education. Adventurous

and curious, Raj and Tara traveled extensively across six continents and all 50 states.

Raj was an avid reader who loved exploring new cultures, business, and technology,

even testing his entrepreneurial spirit by successfully running a local travel agency for

four years.

In 2020, Raj and Tara moved to Primrose Retirement Community in Stillwater, OK. A

sharp-minded cancer survivor at 89, Raj deeply loved spending time with visiting family

and friends, sharing his humor and sage wisdom until his passing.

Raj is survived by his loving wife, Tara; his children, Nina (John Weaver) and Kiran

(Rebecca); his grandchildren, Alyssa and Roman (fiancé, Madeline Loosen); his sister-

in-law, Meera Phansalkar and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in

death by his parents and siblings.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the doctors and staff at the Stillwater

Medical Center, Stillwater Cancer Center, Stillwater Medical At Home Hospice, and

Cornerstone Caregiving for their exceptional kindness and care of Raj.

Per Raj’s wishes, there will be no memorial service. A celebration of life for family will

be held later. Those wishing to honor Raj, may donate to the 9/11 charity, Tunnel to

Towers Foundation at: www.T2T.org