Dr. Raj Aggarwal

Dr. Raj Aggarwal was an accomplished author, academic, professor, executive, and civic leader. He was a deeply loving husband and father. He spent his life aspiring to great accomplishments, and he left this world fulfilled. He leaves his wife of 49 years, Karen Lee Blackburn Aggarwal; his 41 year old daughter, Sonia Aggarwal; his son-in-law Jordan MacHardy; his 4 year old grandson, Cosmo MacHardy; his sister Usha Aggarwal and his brothers Sushil and Vijay Aggarwal (his brother Ashok preceded him in passing).

He earned global recognition for his scholarly work, with more than 11,000 citations, putting him in the top 1 percent of scientists in economics and finance. In achieving that recognition, he said "it is truly humbling to be included among these amazing other scientists adding to the storehouse of human knowledge. Huge thanks to my numerous supporters (and critics) over the years for making me better with valuable lessons."

Raj did that very thing for so very many others - he was always looking for ways to support his many students over fifty years of teaching at Kent State University, the University of Akron, John Carroll University, Harvard University, the University of Michigan, the University of South Carolina, the University of Hawaii, the University of Toledo, Lund University, International University of Japan, Trinity College (Ireland), Griffith University (Australia), and National University of Singapore - his colleagues at the many institutions where he served on the board - Ideastream Public Media, Kent State University Foundation, Goodwill Industries, Values in Action, Hawken School, the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, Financial Executives International, Manco/Henkel DIY Inc., Ancora Trust, Maxxus Investments, and the Flood Company, to name just a few. If the length of this paragraph is any small indication, Raj pushed himself to make space for anyone who could benefit from his experience and wisdom.

Raj was relentlessly optimistic from the beginning to the end. He was deeply committed to increasing understanding between cultures, furthering education, and creating a more peaceful and prosperous world. Among his final wishes was to hang a yellow ribbon from the peace pole in his front yard, which says "may peace prevail on Earth" in English, Hindi, Spanish, and art. More than anything, he loved his wife and daughter. He will be deeply missed.

To honor Raj, you could plant a tree (oak was his favorite) or put up a peace pole. A celebration of life will take place in Cleveland later this Fall.