Dr. Lakhi Nandlal Goenka

In Spe et Fide. In hope and faith. Forever holding him close, we announce the passing of Dr. Lakhi N. Goenka, who died on December 26, 2025, in Palmetto, Georgia, (U.S.), at the age of 68. He is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Brenda Bentley-Goenka, his devoted daughter Carey (Goenka) Gjokaj, and three precious granddaughters, Genevieve, Sabine, and Cassiopéa Gjokaj. Lakhi is also greatly missed by his sister, Prabha Shah, and brothers Bhagwati and Debi Goenka. He was born on September 20, 1957, in Mumbai, India, and later immigrated to the U.S. for graduate school, becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1989. Lakhi filled his life with high achievement, generosity, and love - for his family, his faith, his adopted homeland, his sparkling engineering career, and for his artistic and intellectual hobbies, especially those involving quantum physics. Lakhi was both a physicist and a man of faith, and he saw no contradiction between the two. His greatest intellectual legacy was his published book, Does the Atom Have a Designer?, a work he considered his most meaningful contribution to the world. In it, he made a scientific case for God. He believed deeply that truth is unified, that reason and belief are not adversaries, and that atoms themselves bear fingerprints of divine intention. A Catholic convert, Lakhi held a tender devotion to the Virgin Mary, with a keen interest in miracles. He did not see miracles as violations of natural law, but as deeper revelations of it. This spirit animated his long-running Physics and Faith writings, where he shared scientific, philosophical, and spiritual reflections that invited others to look again-more carefully, more humbly-at the majesty of reality. Professionally, Lakhi was a prolific inventor and engineer during his working years. After earning his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, he went to file over 100 patents in Fluid Dynamics and wind-tunnel design for firms in Tennessee and Michigan. His mind was constantly building, tinkering, and imagining. Lakhi found fun in the art of mastery, not shying away from challenging pursuits. One of his lifelong passions was tennis, which began in India and followed him to Texas, and up through his career and parenting years. One season, he came achingly close to winning the Austin Open (just one set away!) a story he shared with humor and pride. Photography was one of Lakhi's great artistic outlets. He took thousands upon thousands of photographs of people, plants, birds, and fleeting moments of wonder, once exhibiting his work at the Ann Arbor Art Fair. He was deeply fascinated by light-how it bends, reflects, and reveals-and many of his photographs carry the DNA of an artist who possesses a physicist's eye. Painting, also, caught his attention in later years. More analytically, he developed into a passionate investor, closely following the stock market with insight and courage. But one of his last and most difficult pursuits was teaching himself to fly a drone. Mastering hard-to-do things was his fun. But for all his focus, Lakhi never took himself too seriously. He was proud of his naughty schoolday exploits in India, and would spice up any party with their retelling. His playful sense of humor could always lighten any conversation, especially clever wordplay and classic Dad jokes-one of his favorites being, 'Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.' Even near the end, when his mobility became limited, he would wryly joke about being lovingly tended to by his various women caregivers! Lakhi's humor spread love and grace to all around him. Lakhi remained consistently optimistic throughout his nineteen-year battle with olfactory neuroblastoma. During this time, Lakhi never gave up hope and love when preceded unexpectedly in death by his own beloved son, Bentley Goenka, but instead carried Bentley very close within his heart and mentioned him often. Lakhi faced his own health challenge, and faced it down, with courage, deep and persistent self-education, and daily reliance on God. At the heart of Lakhi's life was his loyalty and pride in his family. He met the love of his life, Brenda, at grad school in Austin, beginning a partnership marked by deep respect and intellectual companionship. His love for his children was palpable. His three granddaughters were truly the apple of his eye, and the affection they poured over him in his final months brought him profound joy. He cherished his family fully, until his final day. Lakhi passed peacefully just after Christmas, surrounded by the love he had given so freely. Lakhi N. Goenka lived in hope and faith. He sought truth wherever it could be found, beauty wherever it revealed itself, and God in both equations and prayers. His life reminds us that intellect and humility can coexist, that suffering does not erase joy, and that love never disappears. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory 770-253-4580 www.mckoon.com

Dr. Lakhi Nandlal Goenka

September 20, 1957 - December 26, 2025