NYC, Sept. 21, 2005
Surinder Singh

The children of two prominent local physicians who perished in a plane crash Sept. 27, 2003, have established an endowed scholarship at SUNY Oswego in memory of their mother, Dr. Manjula R. Shah.

Neelesh Shah and Dr. Monica Shah have donated $25,000 from the family's Tarandi Foundation to the Oswego College Foundation to establish the Dr. Manjula Ravindra Shah Memorial Scholarship. It will be awarded to students majoring in communication studies at the college.

When seeking to honor their mother's memory, SUNY Oswego was a logical choice, the donors said. "Mom and Dad were always big supporters of the community: They supported the hospital, gave scholarships for the high school and were active members in the community. Mom was active in the Rotary Club in Oswego," Neelesh Shah said. "And they had a great attachment to Oswego State."

Highest-ranking Indian-American BRIGADIER GENERAL RAVINDRA F. SHAH. DIED

NYC, Sept. 28, 2003

A small private plane carrying Brigadier General Dr. Ravindra Shah and his wife Dr. Manjula Shah of 2992 State Route 48, Oswego, NY, crashed in a heavily wooded area outside of Boston, shortly after 11 a.m. Sept. 27, 2003

Dr. Manjula Shah was an anesthesiologist who practiced in Fulton and Oswego. Dr. Ravindra Shah was a urologist and associate professor of surgery at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. He was also a retired brigadier general in the United States Air National Guard.

One week later, the family, and those whose lives were touched by the two physicians are paying their tributes at private and public memorial services this week - including the one scheduled October 4th at the Air National Guard at Hancock Field, Syracuse, where Dr Shah served until his retirement last May.

Perhaps the best tribute anyone could bestow on Dr. Ravindra Shah was paid when this former commander of the 174th Fighter Wing was promoted to Brigadier General in August 1999. In his opening remarks during the ceremony, Major General John H. Fenimore, said: “It is the right thing to do for the Air Force, the United States of America, and for Dr. Ravi Shah, to promote him to brigadier general."

BRIGADIER GENERAL (DR.) RAVINDRA F. SHAH

New York, March, 200
Sant Singh

Brigadier General Ravindra F. Shah, M.D. is the State Air surgeon for the New York Air National Guard, Latham, N.Y. He is responsible for providing the commander of the New York Air National Guard with advice and counsel on all matters related to the health of the force and to the adequacy and capability of the medical services personnel at the unit level. He plans and administers state ANG medical service programs, affecting 6,500 New York Air National Guard members. He is also responsible for promoting flying safety, medical recruiting and advising the state planning committee for Disaster Preparedness. He is medical advisor to the adjutant general during state emergencies or disasters.

The general began his military career by joining the 174th Fighter Wing, Syracuse, N.Y., as major on 7 October 1982. He completed “TOP KNIFE SCHOOL” in 1991 and won the distinguished “TOP KNIFE” award. After finishing the "TOP KNIFE SCHOOL" he was recognized as "Fighter Surgeon" versus "Flight Surgeon." He is also the graduate of “KOOL SCHOOL”, two weeks of survival training in the Arctic and Antarctic after which he formulated medical policy for the Air wings mission to both regions.

EDUCATION:
1961 Bachelor of medicine, Bachelor of surgery, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India

ASSIGNMENTS:
1. October 1982 – October 1984, physician, 174th Tactical Airlift Command Clinic, Syracuse, N.Y.
2. October 1984 – May 1987, flight surgeon, 174th Tactical Airlift Command Clinic, Syracuse, N.Y.
3. May 1987 – September 1992, commander, 174th Tactical Airlift Command Clinic, Syracuse, N.Y.
4. September 1992 – present, state air surgeon, Headquarters, Division of Military and Naval Affairs, Latham, N.Y.

FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Chief flight surgeon and senior flight surgeon
Flight hours: More than 512
Aircraft flown: C-2B, BE-65, C-5A, KC-136R, KC-135E, UH-1H, OH-58A, LC-130H, C141B, E-3B, C-130B, F-16D/B, C-12D/F, C-130H, A-7K, C12J, HH-60G
Flight surgeon wings from: Brooks Air Force Base, Texas

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with two devices
Air Force Training Ribbon
New York State Long and Faithful Service Ribbon with device
New York State Recruiting Ribbon with device

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS:
Association of Military Surgeons of the United States
Past President of Oswego County Medical Society
Diplomatic American Board of Urology, USA
Past President of Medical Staff Oswego Hospital
Past Member of Executive Committee of Oswego Hospital and A.L. Lee Memorial Hospital
Member of Board of Overseers, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, R.I.
Member of Fellow of American College of Surgeons
Member of American Urological Association
Aerospace Medical Association
Indian Society of Aerospace Medicine
Associate Professor of Urology at the State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse
Member of Oswego County Medical Society
Member of New York State Medical Society

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
Established scholarship for undergraduate and medical students at Brown University, Providence, R.I.
Established Chair in geriatric medical at Brown University, Providence, R.I.
Initiated and played major role in establishing Hindu Temple in Syracuse, N.Y.
Senior FAA Medical Examiner
Traffic Controller Medical Examiner

PUBLISHED ARTICLES:
General Shah has written several articles and short stories for N.Y. Air National Guard publications.

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Major Oct 7, 1982
Lieutenant Colonel May 5, 1983
Colonel Jun 25, 1987
Brigadier General Sep 1, 1999

Source- New York Air National Guard, Latham, N.Y