Columbus, OH: Dr. Ranbir Singh Sandhu was Professor Emeritus at The Ohio State University (OSU), Columbus, OH. A native of Lyallpur, Pakistan, he earned BA in mathematics from the University of Panjab, Pakistan, in 1946 and a BS in civil engineering from Panjab University, India, in 1949.

Later, Dr. Sandhu worked as an engineer, designing high dams in India, before earning a MS in engineering from the University of Sheffield, U.K., in 1962. He moved to the United States in 1965 and received his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1968. He then served as Senior Engineer for the Harza Engineering Company in Chicago, Illinois. He was a licensed engineer in the states of Illinois and Ohio and consulted with entities such as Bell Laboratories, the U.S. Army, and Dames & Moore during his career.

Dr. Sandhu joined the faculty at Ohio State in August 1969 and retired from the university in 1995. H was a leader in the field of applying finite element methods to the solution of large, engineering problems. His research covered several disciplines in theoretical and computational mechanics, including geomechanics, mechanics of composite materials, soil-structure interaction, structural dynamics, wave propagation in multiphase media, and more. He had over 100 professional papers published in various academic journals to his credit.

Dr. Ranbir Singh Sandhu’s academic teaching had an incredible impact at OSU. One former student Tom Irvine explained it as follows; “During one discussion, Professor Sandhu gave him the name of Prof. J.K. Lee and encouraged him to reach out to his colleague. A professor in the Engineering Mechanics Dept., Dr. Lee was searching for someone to assist with his research and as a young Buckeye engineer, he eagerly embraced the opportunity. In many ways, that simple gesture on his part, set me on a path that led to an engineering career that I now marvel at in terms of my great fortune.”

A second simple act by Dr. Sandhu was also very impactful for Irvine the student and, later, his colleague and mentor.

“Professor Sandhu, in one of those times I was in his office, looked across his desk at me and said, you know, Tom, you can do anything you put your mind to.” “I remember him saying that to me like I was there yesterday,” recalled Irvine. “Often, the simplest of things you do for people turn out to be the most meaningful.”

Prof. Sandhu stated he was simply sharing lessons he himself had learned about engineering and life. “That’s my own experience,” he said. “You get a problem. You must solve it. Work hard at it. Keep thinking about it.”

Inspired by Prof. Sandhu’s lessons for leading what Irvine called, “a value-driven and meaningful life,” Tom and his wife, Lynn, established an endowment at OSU in 2022 honoring Tom’s professor and mentor. The fund will provide resources to support enhanced research and experimental facilities as well as experiential experiences for students, such as research opportunities and attendance at conferences and symposiums. https://ceg.osu.edu/news/2025/09/paying-forward-cege-alum-honors-professor-and-mentor

Some who knew him personally, saw him as a vast repository of knowledge, practical wisdom and inspiration. His incredible sewa to help the Sikh Panth over the last few decades is well known. We will not forget his selfless service to help his Sikh brothers and sisters to love and pursue the path of Sikhi as guided by our enlightened Gurus.

Dr. Ranbir Singh was a multifaceted personality with many historic achievements to his credit, other than being a successful academic.

He was the driving force and one of the main founding members of this very organization in 1994-1995. He also served as the Secretary-general of ASC in the early days. Also served on the board for several years contributing in a myriad of ways.

He had worked with several organizations to promote interfaith understanding and peace. He served as president of the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio.

He started the first independent Sikh library in 1985 housing a very large collection of books amounting to a few thousand under the non-profit org, Sikh Education and Religious Foundation.

He wrote a historic and unique book, ‘Struggle for Justice – Speeches and Conversations of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale’ spending 15 years on researching and then publishing it in 2000.

He was appointed the representative for ASC in early 2008 to work behind closed doors to liaison with the Pentagon for the right of Sikhs serving in the US Military to maintain their articles of faith. The momentous landmark victory took over a year of continuous effort bringing about the historic change in (re)allowing Sikh-Americans to serve with their Dastaars in 2009 after a 27 year long ban put in place by President Reagan in 1982.

He was a big proponent of Sikh human rights and cajoled everyone around him gently to follow an ethical path no matter how hard.

We salute Dr. Ranbir Singh Sandhu for the incredible service to the Sikh Nation and know he inspired many others to follow in his footsteps to carry the torch of Sikh liberty further, for a better tomorrow. His trailblazing work will not be wasted, but built on by others.

He passed away in the early hours of September 25, 2026 at home, surrounded by his family. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by his loved ones and dear friends. A generous man of great modesty yet resolute in his convictions who would do everything in his power to pursue a righteous goal based on Sikh principles in order to help the larger Sikh Panth.

His friend Dr. Harpal Singh Dhillon a professor of engineering summed up his life as, “Dr. Sandhu was a rare embodiment of wisdom, knowledge, compassion, courage and humility!”

Dr Sandhu leaves behind his two daughters, their families including six grandchildren. His eldest daughter retired as a teacher and the other daughter is a practicing physician.

My Akal Purakh keeps Dr. Ranbir Singh Sandhu in ‘His’ care, and our prayers are with the family to give them strength to bear this terrible loss!