1945
2017
Valsan Pookottu John, affectionately known as Valsan, was born on September 9, 1945 into the Kappil Pookottu family at Omalloor near Pathanamthitta. He lost his father at the young age of 10 and was raised by his brother the late Mr. P J Mathew (Head Master, Marthoma High School, Pathanamthitta). He completed his bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from T.K.M College of Engineering, Kollam and his Masters at the College of Engineering, Trivandrum as well as the School of Planning and Transportation, New Delhi
He married Valsa (Dr. Annamma George) and settled in Trivandrum, where he worked as a Civil engineer in the Kerala State PWD, to rise up the ranks to Deputy Chief Engineer. He received a prestigious British Common Wealth scholarship for masters in Highway Engineering at the University of Birmingham, England. His notable projects included the bridge known as “Ranni Palam”, the Sabarimala access highway and the Kovalam-Kazhakootam bypass. He was subsequently appointed as General Manager of the National Highway Authority of India, during which, he was instrumental in the construction of segments of the Golden Quadrilateral National Highway between Chennai and Calcutta. He received a gold medal for his work on the Nityananda Polytechnic college, Kanhangad and a special appreciation from Kerala High court for his exceptional work on Sabarimala access highway.
After his retirement, he immigrated to United States to join his children, initially in Cleveland, Ohio (2006) and Dallas (2012). He was a member of the Mar Thoma Church of Omalloor, the Ebenezer Mar Thoma Church, Trivandrum and the Marthoma Church of Dallas, Farmers Branch. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Annamma George (Gynaecologist) ; children, Dr. Binu Valsan John, (Liver Transplant specialist Richmond,VA), Susan Valsan John (manager TCS, Bangalore) and Bipin George John, (Program Manager, Infosys, Dallas); Children-in-law : Dr. Smitha John, Binoy Abraham and Priya Mathew Elanjickal; Grandchildren : Matthew, Irene, Joel, Abel, Noel, Ethan and Evelyn and sisters Mary Mathai (Idaho) and Dr. Leelamma Athyal (Thiruvalla).
Dad was a God-fearing man and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed travelling all over the world and had a passion for reading and listening to music. He was especially known for his unmatched sense of humor and unique ability to make everyone from little children to the elderly laugh. We are proud of the great legacy he has left behind for his children, grandchildren, and future generations.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Rolling Oaks Funeral Home.
1 Entry
February 23, 2017
Thomas David
I was both surprised and sad to see Valsan`s photograph in the obituary columns of Malayala Manorama the other day.I am Thomas David, Valsan`s class mate at the TKM, Kollam.I shared the sad news with two of our common friends at Kollam, and we shared the cherished memories of our TKM days, especially, our association with Valsan. Valsan`s seat was next to mine in the class.Valsan had boyish looks , was comely and and very intelligent.We were very close friends. I had attended his wedding at Tiruvalla along with some of our mutual friends
Well, as a youngster, he was a model for us all. I too was in the State PWD for some time.But alas, we never had a chance to meet.I feel a sense of loss with the home call of dear Valsan. May God confort the members of the bereaved family.A loss for the world is a gain for the heaven.
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