Raman Menon

Raman Menon (Konthath Kunhirama Menon), 89, passed away on January 18, 2021. He was the husband of 57 years of Meryl Blau Menon of Hamden, CT. Raman, born in 1931 in Rangoon (Yangon), Burma (Myanmar), was the son of N.P.R. Nair and Padmavathy Amma. He received an M.A. from Madras University in English Language and Literature and a second M.A. from New York University in English Education. After teaching English at college and high school levels in India, Ethiopia, and Ghana, he joined the English Department at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT, where he taught for over 40 years. In keeping with his love of travel, Raman and Meryl explored new places such as Cambodia, Costa Rica, Turkey, Greece, and China and visited family in India, Malaysia, and Canada.

At Choate Rosemary Hall, Raman held leadership positions as Chair of the English Department and the Department of Behavior and Ethics, Head of House for a student dormitory, Chair of the Faculty Committee, and faculty adviser in charge of student community service. He received the Charles Rice Chair in English, the Johannes van Straalen Award for Teaching given by the Student Council to that faculty member “who has for many years devoted his or her energy and knowledge to the continuance of fine education at Choate Rosemary Hall,” and the Joseph B. Whitehead Educator of Distinction Award. In addition, an alumnus established a permanently endowed fund in his name.

Raman retired in June 2008 and had lived at Whitney Center in Hamden since October 2013. At Whitney Center, he organized presentations and moderated discussions on current events, where he was often the speaker and always attracted a large audience. Throughout his life, he enjoyed listening to Carnatic Music (South Indian Classical Music).

He was predeceased by three brothers, K.A. Menon, K.R.K. Menon, and DevDas Menon; two sisters, Balashankari Parameshwar and K. Radha Menon; and one nephew. In addition to his wife, he leaves behind his brother, K. Gopinathan Menon of Bengaluru, India; seven nieces and nephews; and sisters-in-law Lila Menon, Latha Menon, Lakshmi Menon, and Surabi Menon.

Donations in his memory may be made to The Connecticut Food Bank, 2 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492 (https://www.ctfoodbank.org) and the Whitney Center Gift Fund, 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, CT 06517, Attn: Philanthropy Department (https://whitneycenter.com/giving/), or a charity of your choice. The Bailey Funeral Home of Wallingford has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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