Obituary of Nat J. Patel

Nat J. Patel, 80, of Madison, NJ, passed away surrounded by family on Friday, February 7, 2025, at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, after a long hospitalization. Nat was the pillar of his family and a beloved member of his community of friends and colleagues. 

Nat was born in Ghekti, Gujarat, India, on January 26, 1945, to Jhinabhai and Naniben. He earned a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in 1964 from MS University, Baroda, India; a Diploma in Electrical Engineering in 1965 from BB Institute of Technology, Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India; a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1967 from SP University, Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India; and a Master of Science, in Electrical Engineering in 1971 from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ.

During this time, he immigrated to the United States in 1969 and shortly thereafter became a proud US citizen.  In 1972, he married his wife Tara, and the couple resided in New York, eventually moving to New Jersey, where their two daughters, Lopa and Lisa were born and raised.  His family has resided in Madison, NJ since 1977. 

Nat led a full life that carried him around the globe.  He enjoyed a rewarding career as an Electrical Engineer, and earned an outstanding reputation for his personal dedication, excellence, and unique expertise solving for complex industry issues.  For over 19 years, he worked for the Linde Group (and previously the BOC Group), and served as Chief Electrical Engineer, Linde Global Operations.  He retired from corporate life due to medical reasons, however, remained intellectually curious. Thus, over the past decade, he served as Principal & Managing Director of NJP Electrical Engineering Solutions, LLC. 

Most importantly, Nat was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  He believed in the power of family and dedicated his life to creating a loving and supportive environment for his family. In raising his daughters, he shared his wisdom, kindness, and extraordinary character.  He was known for his quick-witted humor, infectious laugh and beaming smile.  He was a political enthusiast, always glued to CNN.  He embedded his family with his love for travel and was the planner of all family vacations.  He was a tennis aficionado, but very little surpassed his joy in watching his daughters respectively compete in junior and collegiate tennis – until he had the opportunity to watch his grandson and granddaughter compete in junior tennis many years later.  He was their biggest fan, not only in tennis, but also in all their endeavors.    

Nat was the family pioneer, as his giving and supportive spirit paved the path for numerous extended family members. In addition, with his wife, he built and supported two elementary level schools in the Ghekti area, India. 

In 2011, Nat was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a progressive lung disease with unknown cause and no cure.  In 2014, Nat received a single lung transplant, a gift that extended his life and enabled him to spend his remaining years with his grandchildren.  Despite multiple battles, hospitalizations, and the tragic loss of his youngest daughter in 2019, he surpassed all averages and expectancy, with thanks to his excellent medical team, family support, and his marked will to survive. His positivity and strength in the face of adversity were an inspiration to everyone he met, and as such, his legacy is one of unwavering integrity, honesty, resilience, and love.

Nat was preceded in death by his parents and by his daughter, Dr. Lisa Waller.  He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 54 years, Tara Patel; his daughter, Lopa Zielinski and her husband, Jeffrey; his grandson, Andrew and granddaughter, Tara; his son-in-law, Dr. Alfonso Waller, and his granddaughters, Madison and Morgan. He is also survived by his brother, Naresh Patel and his wife, Kamala; and brothers-in-law, many sisters in-laws, nieces, nephews, close family members, dear friends, and colleagues. 

A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2025, from 5-8 PM, at Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, 106 Main Street, Madison, NJ. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Somerset Hills Memorial Park, 95 Mount Airy Road, Basking Ridge, NJ. 

For those who wish to honor and remember Nat, in lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in his memory to Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Lung Transplant Research:  https://medicine.givenow.columbia.edu/?alloc=20847#.