The University of Birmingham is very sad to share the news that Dr Arun Kamtekar, of the School of Engineering, passed away after contracting Covid-19.
Professor Andy Schofield , Pro-Vice Chanellor and Head of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, said: “We are deeply saddened by this news. Arun leaves a widow, Olive, and son Kiran, who are very much in our thoughts.
“Arun was an active and dedicated member of staff, who devoted the last 40 years to the University.
“He had a great sense of humour and could regularly be found in the staff common room chatting with colleagues. Often he would be discussing his passion, the game of cricket. Arun was incredibly well liked and will be greatly missed.
“We have created an online Book of Condolence in which people can pay their respects and when this current crisis is over, we will find a way to celebrate together Arun’s life and contribution.’
Dr Kamtekar joined in 1980 as a lecturer in structural engineering, and was prolific in his research on steel structures, publishing more than 25 papers on the subject. After his retirement, he continued to be an active and dedicated member of staff, teaching and conducting research as an Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Civil Engineering.
Beyond the University he had been serving for many years as an assessor for those applying for chartered status with the Institute of Structural Engineers, and he previously served on parole board panels for the National Probation Service.
Prior to joining the University, he was a Senior Structural Engineer at Lloyd’s Register of Shipping from 1975 to 1980, and before that he spent four years at the construction design & engineering firm Rendel, Palmer & Tritton. He graduated from St Xavier’s College, Mumbai, in 1963 with a First-Class BSc in Mathematics and undertook a PhD at St John’s College, Cambridge University.
