Dr. Hemmige N. Bhagavan, 78

October 14, 2013

Dr. Hemmige N. Bhagavan, 78, passed away on October 14, 2013 in Lancaster, PA. Hemmi was born and raised in Mysore, India. He came to the United States in 1959 for his graduate and doctoral studies.

A biochemist, he received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1963. He first moved to the Lancaster, PA, area in the mid 1960’s.
Hemmi will be missed by his spouse of 42 years, Ana Lydia Bhagavan, and his daughters, Lilia A. Nice and Ana I. Savitski, all of Lancaster. Hemmi is also survived by four grandchildren: Stephen L. Bomberger, Lancaster, Alexander L. Nice, Philadelphia, Joshua D. Nice, Lancaster, and Asia L. Pecora, Lancaster, as well as four great-grandchildren, all of Lancaster.
Hemmi was a very active and loving grandfather. Known as “Hopie” to his grandchildren, he consistently modeled a compassionate and gentle approach to living life and getting along with others. He was encouraging and supportive to everyone in his family. Hemmi stayed current with science, technology, and politics via a heavy mix of reading, correspondence, Internet research, and a nearly 24/7 CNN habit.
With the many members of his extended family in Pennsylvania, Florida and Puerto Rico, he always proved to be a funny and interesting conversationalist and companion. He knew how to relax, have fun, eat cold pizza and drink inexpensive beer. Hemmi also enjoyed taking care of his spoiled dogs throughout the years; most recently he was a regular at Lancaster County Central Park with his canine buddy, Shameen.
Dr. Bhagavan was an accomplished scientist, researcher, and editor of medical literature. His areas of study throughout his career included mental health, clinical nutrition, vitamins research, and cellular respiration. He mentored many young scientists. He authored and co-authored books and monographs and was a much sought after editor in his field. He was respected by his colleagues who knew him to be thoughtful, helpful and humble. In his long professional career, he worked in research for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lancaster, North Nassau Mental Health Center in Long Island, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., in Nutley, NJ, and Tishcon Corporation, in Westbury, NY.