Ramesh Sharma, 85, is shown during his December graduation from UT Arlington. (Contributed photo)

After 85 years of living, Ramesh Sharma has fulfilled a wish from his high school teacher many years ago in India. He now has a doctorate degree.

“In my high school career one of our teachers used to say, ‘Life is short — do something constructive which should be useful to the nation and an example for the generations to come,’” Sharma recalled.

“Now, if any one person can be helped in his or her own research, then I have fulfilled my commitment of my life.”

Sharma, of Fort Worth, received his degree on Dec. 13 from the University of Texas at Arlington. He had already accomplished much in life, including a happy family and a successful career in the engineering industry.

However, he made a promise when he immigrated to the United States from India in 1976. He was determined to make both his homeland and his newly adopted country proud.

Returning to school

Born in Narowal, Pakistan, and raised in Ludhiana, India, in the northern region of Punjab, Sharma received a degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras in 1967. After working for several years in the civilian Indian naval forces, he immigrated to the United States, working in Texas, Michigan and Connecticut as a stress engineer in nuclear plants before settling down in Fort Worth in 1986 and retiring in 2006.

Then, in 2007, he made a bold decision. He decided to pursue a master’s degree, returning to school after four decades to UTA.

He cited a thirst for knowledge as a driving factor as well.

“My wife and I read spiritual books together. This has given me a positive attitude toward enhancing my knowledge and doing something which should uplift my consciousness,” he said.

Once the decision was made, however, came the actual returning to school, classes and all.

“It was a great challenge for me,” Sharma said. “Since I did my undergraduate in mechanical engineering in 1967, I started going to school in 2007 and I had forgotten everything about all the courses.

“I had to take the prerequisite courses for every graduate course.”

It took him seven years, but in 2014 he held his master’s degree in mechanical engineering high, just as he is now holding his doctorate in that same subject.

“I took one class at a time, but I did it. I’m so happy to be able to keep the promise I made when I started school,” he said.

Family education

Sharma’s parents graduated high school. His two sisters have completed undergraduate degrees in arts and science.

He and his wife, Savita, have two children. Their son, Rohit, has a doctor of medicine-doctor of philosophy from UT Southwestern in Dallas and is now teaching and doing research at Harvard. Their daughter, Neha Leih, has a bachelor’s degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has her own consulting business in Connecticut.

“Ramesh has been an inspiration to all of us at UT Arlington with his desire and commitment to continue his education in his retirement when he could have been doing so many other activities that are far more relaxing than graduate school,” said Tuncay Aktosun, Sharma’s program adviser and a professor of mathematics at UTA.

“His unique work and life experiences brought insight to the research endeavors for all of us that had the chance to work with him.”

Sharma said that, while he knew the day would come, having the degree in hand enhances the true sense of accomplishment even more than he imagined.

“I have achieved the goal/dream in the mid-80s of my life. This has given the reassurance of my ability that I have achieved something remarkable which is even harder for the young students,” he said.

“Yes, I do feel that I can be an inspiration to people who have a cheerful outlook in life and inspire them to improve their own gifts to humanity. It is truly never too late.”

Sharma said his immediate goal now is to take care of his wife, whom he said was his biggest fan and supporter through his journey.

“She has sacrificed her own interests and has helped me so that I can achieve the goal of my life,” he said. “Also, I will be helping students in math and/or engineering subjects.”

Oh yeah, he has no plans to stop helping others work to achieve their dreams.

“I have one student now that I’m helping with his studies,” he said. “It’s great to be able to give back.”