Apparao Devata
September 14, 2025 – 12:00pm cst
Our dearest husband, father and World’s Greatest Tata (grandfather), Apparao Devata, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2025, a month before what would have been his 82nd birthday.
Born in Nandigama, Andhra Pradesh, India in 1943, Apparao was a small but mighty force who never took no for an answer.
He touched the lives of many with his profound sense of humor, warmth, creativity, curiosity, and gregarious outgoing nature. Apparao was a generous friend and possessed an uncanny ability to connect to everyone. He possessed a brilliant mind, disarming wit, and an empathetic heart. He possessed the rare ability to build community wherever he found himself, whether at home, at the temple, park district, or even while traveling.
Apparao came to America in 1969 obtaining his Ph.D. in Physics at Louisiana State University in New Orleans. He was a medical physicist for over 40 years helping countless patients by planning and executing their radiation treatments.
In 1974, he met his bride of over 50 years, Nirmala Bhoopalam-Devata. They were happily married and had two children, Sandeep and Sumana, and were a part of a close-knit vibrant community in the Chicagoland area.
Apparao was passionate about everything he did but especially Pickleball, his “club”—the Oak Brook Park District, playing cards, playing pool, tabla, and spending time with his family. He fiercely loved his three grandchildren and saw them nearly every week. He was enthusiastic about competing in Park District triathlons, championing the Oak Brook International Festival, and his dream of creating pickleball courts for all pickleball enthusiasts. He was known for his larger than life personality and constant laugh. Apparao’s outgoing spirit allowed him to connect with people from all walks of life, cultures, and social classes.
Apparao is survived by his wife Nirmala, his son Sandeep (Pamela), his daughter Sumana (Keronn), and his grandchildren, Dru, Arik, and Aleena. He also leaves behind his sister, Subbalakshmi and numerous beloved family members in India. He was preceded in death by 6 siblings.
His departure comes as a great shock, and it is gravely felt by his entire family and countless others who loved him deeply. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to The Apparao (Rao) Memorial Fund, through the OakBrook Park District https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/EpG9ke99DJ2b0m783cdz-w
Visitation services will be held at Adolf Powell Funeral Home at 7000 S. Madison St., Willowbrook, IL on Sunday, September 14th from 10 a.m -2 p.m. A puja will be performed starting at 1:15 p.m. at the same location. A private family ceremony and cremation will immediately follow.
The live stream will begin about 10 minutes before the service starts. Please press the play button in the player above. You will see a screen stating that the live stream will begin shortly along with some soft music to make sure your speakers are working properly. Once the stream has ended, the video will be available to view once it has been uploaded. We recommend using Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Microsoft Edge web browsers. Internet Explorer may not work due to Microsoft’s discontinued support of the browser.