Dr. Shah

MADISON - Dr. Vinod K. Shah, age 81, of Madison, Wis., passed away on Monday evening, Dec. 21, 2015, at Meriter Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on January 25, 1934 in Vadodara, India, the son of Kasturchand and Savitaben Shah. Vinod completed his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1965 and joined the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1966, first as a post-doctoral fellow and then as a research scientist. During his time at the UW, he became a leading researcher in the Department of Bacteriology and an internationally recognized figure in the study of nitrogenase, enzymes that allow organisms to fix atmospheric nitrogen. His pioneering work synthesizing the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMoCo) remains central to research in the field decades after its publication in journals such as Nature, The Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Biochemistry, and Journal of Biological Chemistry. In 1992, his distinguished career was honored with the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research. He retired from UW in 1998 with emeritus status as a senior scientist.
After retirement, Vinod remained active in scientific circles and within the Madison Indian community. He was an enthusiastic card player, an accomplished chef, and a devoted patriarch who looked after his large family of children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, and their families. He supported many family members who immigrated to the U.S., establishing a network of relations in Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, and Wisconsin. He took great pride in their accomplishments and their contributions to the sciences, social sciences, humanities, medicine, education, engineering, business, and finance.
Vinod leaves behind a long list of survivors, including his daughter Daksha Dalal and husband Dinesh Dalal of Katy, Texas; son Mayank Shah and wife Swati Shah of Hummelstown, Pa.; daughter Hetal Larsen and husband Andy Larsen of Whitefish Bay, Wis.; son Dhavan Shah and wife Christine Garlough of Middleton, Wis.; and brothers Arvind and Jagdish, sisters Champa and Padma, step-mother Kamlaben, and their children. His extended family includes eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Vinod was preceded in death by his first wife, Varsha, his second wife, Dharmishtha, his brothers Pushkar and Manu, and his parents.
A memorial for Vinod will be held on December 29 at the Cress Funeral Home on 6021 W. University Avenue in Madison. Visitation will begin at 3:00, followed by services at 4:00. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice in his memory.

Cress Center
6021 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-8406