An Iowa State professor questions the lack of university representation at a funeral for a scholar visiting from India.

Suraj Kothari, a professor of computer science, was unhappy that no university officials were present to speak on behalf of the university at the funeral of Vinaykumar R. Deshpande, 44, who committed suicide by hanging on March 25.

“A visiting scholar is a guest to the university. When a visiting scholar dies, the university should show some concern about it,” Kothari said.

John Anderson, the interim director of university relations, said he was not aware that the university knew of the funeral.

The director of the ISU Office of International Students and Scholars, Dennis Peterson, said, “We try to do the best we can to get to these events, but unfortunately it was not possible. At one point I thought I could be, but I had to attend a memorial service for a long-time faculty member.”

Deshpande was arrested March 22 by the Ames Police Department on a charge of theft at Cub Foods, 3121 Grand Ave. He was held by the police overnight, his room was then searched by the police prior to his release the next day.

Kothari said it is quite possible that Deshpande felt so humiliated by the arrest that he committed suicide.

Kothari said he felt ISU should have an American orientation program for international guests. In some countries the justice systems may work much differently, he said, and counseling after Deshpande’s arrest may have prevented his suicide.

“His family is paying a serious price, and this should not have happened,” he said.

Kothari attended the funeral, not as a representative, but because Deshpande had worked for the federal lab at the Indian Institute of Meteorology in Pune, India, the same city Kothari is from.

“I did not know him at all, but I felt there should be some people at his funeral.” He said about 20 people attended the funeral, held at Dunn Funeral Home in Des Moines.

Kothari, a member of the Faculty Senate, said he was surprised when there was no representative or message of consolation from Iowa State. He then sent an e-mail message to the president of the Faculty Senate, Ron Peters, asking for the senate to stand during the April 2 meeting in a moment of silence honoring Deshpande.

Kothari said, “The faculty senate did a very good thing by standing to show its concern.”

Iowa State did contribute to the cost of cremation, and the Indian Student Association is collecting a memorial fund to be sent to his wife and four-year-old son. Deshpande did climate research with his specialty in tropical meteorology (monsoons) for the university since September.

Sachin Sapatnekar, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, knew Deshpande. He said, “He was a pleasant and generous person, and nice to be around.”