Madanjit Singh Malik, 92, of Kansas City passed away peacefully at home on February 19, 2019 surrounded by his loving family.
Madanjit was born on May 5th, 1926 in London, England, and was raised in Rawalpindi in the British Raj. Educated at The Doon School in Dehradun, India, he became enamored with the American Experience. After a brief stint in the advertising business in Bombay, he moved to the United States to attend the University of Southern California, where he graduated with advanced degrees in Architecture, Planning and Business and also where he began his lifelong enthusiasm for USC football.
On a business flight to Las Vegas, Madanjit met the love of his life, Elizabeth, a flight attendant for Western Airlines. They married in California the following year. Motivated by the belief that he could help his country, which by then had gained its independence from Britain, Madanjit moved with his new wife to India, where they grew and raised their young family, first in the jungles of Dandakararanya, and later in the capital city of New Delhi.
In 1968, with his children’s higher education in mind, he and his wife returned to the United States. With a position as an urban planner waiting for him, the family started anew in Memphis, Tennessee. Nine years later, they relocated to Kansas City where Madanjit happily worked for the City of Kansas City, MO as a planner until his retirement.
Madanjit was passionate about the public realm, an avid follower of the news, and a voracious reader. He believed strongly in civic responsibility and the benefits of a lifelong education. Upon becoming an American citizen, he never missed the opportunity to vote. He loved this country and the opportunities it provided him, but nothing brought him more happiness than his children, grandchildren, family and friends who will forever miss his wisdom, his humor, and his love.
Madanjit was preceded in death by wife Elizabeth (Nestor); parents Gurdit Singh Malik and Abnash (Kaur); and brother Kiku Malik. He is survived by daughter, Premila, and her children Miles and India; son, Dev, his wife Sue, and sons Ian and Chase; son, Neel, and his wife Mary Lou Calo; son, Vijay, and his daughter Sasha; and brother Hari Malik.
In lieu of sending flowers, the family encourages everyone to spend time with their loved ones. There will be a celebration of Madanjit’s life in the spring when everything is in bloom once again. In preparation for this celebration, his children invite everyone to share a favorite memory in the comments.
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