Duggan's | Obituaries List

Chandru Murthi, 80, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2026. He was surrounded by loved ones.

Chandru was born in Chennai, India on June 20, 1946, a year before India declared independence from Britain. Both his parents were doctors, and he joked that dinner conversations often involved arguments over patients’ diagnoses.

Chandru was endlessly curious about the world and never stopped learning or embarking on new creative projects. He graduated from some of the finest universities, IIT Madras (Mechanical Engineering) UC Berkeley (Operations Research) and later in life, Pratt Institute (Sustainable Building) in Brooklyn, NY. His education didn’t stop there. Throughout life he pursued many disciplines, and was a voracious reader of fiction, non-fiction, mysteries, science fiction, plays, and political publications.

Early in his work life, Chandru worked with Dick Pick to develop a very innovative software application called Pick Systems. He excelled at programming and was revered for his work on Pick. Other professional successes included directing plays in San Francisco, developing a sustainable building consultation company called Seeing Green, and publishing a semi-autobiographical novel, “The Doctor from Madras” in 2025.

A man of many passions and interests, Chandru loved cryptic word puzzles, Harry Potter, cats, Mozart, Bob Dylan, Christopher Hitchens, tennis, New York, Paris, cooking, scotch, Paul Klee, British mysteries, cars (the more finicky the better), bridge, contra dancing, parties, Woodstock, Shakespeare, and too many others to mention. If he had a sport, it would most likely be arguing! He had strong opinions about most things and thoroughly enjoyed provoking others into long, exhausting debates. No topic was off limits and no statement too outrageous. But those who walked away usually came back at some point, knowing that behind the drama was a generous, kind, gentle person, who was a steadfast friend.

Chandru came to fatherhood late in life, and absolutely loved it. Hearing Chandru read “The Cat In the Hat” was a unique and delightful experience. He and Dylan spent many hours reading Harry Potter and other classics. At the end all he really wanted was to see Dylan.

He leaves behind his son, Dylan Reagh of Flushing NY, as well as his many friends.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.