Jagath Janapriya Kaluarachchi
March 4, 1956 - March 17, 2026
Jagath Janapriya Kaluarachchi, a steadfast husband, father, and educator, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2026, at 10:53 AM at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah, due to a diagnosis of ALS. He was 70 years old. While his professional achievements were vast, Jagath will be remembered most by those who knew him for his quiet strength, his unwavering dedication to his family, and the kindness he extended to everyone he met.
Born on March 4, 1956, in Matara, Sri Lanka, Jagath was the son of Somapala Kaluarachchi and Nancy Wijeratne Kaluarachchi (Wickremasinghe). His journey from Sri Lanka to Utah was fueled by a lifelong passion for learning. After earning his bachelor’s degree at the University of Moratuwa and a master’s in Hong Kong, he moved to the United States to complete his doctorate at Virginia Tech in 1988. Shortly thereafter, on January 31, 1990, he married his wife, Indira Darshani Kaluarachchi (Perera), in Gampaha, Sri Lanka.
That same year, they moved to Logan, Utah, to begin their life together. For over three decades, Jagath was a pillar of the Utah State University community. At the time of his retirement as the Dean of the College of Engineering, he wasn’t just an administrator; he was a mentor who cared deeply about the success of his students and colleagues. He took great pride in building programs that would protect lives, such as the Utah Earthquake Engineering Center, and his work in water resources earned him worldwide respect. Yet, despite his many awards—including the 2007 Robins Award—Jagath remained a humble man who found his greatest joy in the simple successes of those he helped along the way.
To his family, Jagath was a steady and loving presence. He worked tirelessly to provide a beautiful life for his wife and children, eventually retiring to Cottonwood Heights. He cherished every moment spent with his family, offering wisdom and support with a gentle spirit that never wavered, even as he faced the challenges of his illness.
Jagath is survived by his wife, Indira; his son, Rumal; his daughter, Malinka; his son-in-law, Reed; and his sisters, Indra Wijesinghe and Priyadarshani Wickramasinghe. He was a man of immense heart who believed in the power of education to change the world, but believed even more in the importance of home and family.
A visitation to celebrate Jagath’s life and share memories with his family and friends will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, located at 3651 South 900 East, Millcreek, UT 84106. Guests are encourage to park and enter on the north side of the building.
The family appreciates your thoughts, but asks that you do not send floral arrangements.
In Loving Memory
I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Jagath Kaluarachchi. He was such a kind and warm person, and I will always cherish the wonderful gatherings he hosted at his home every year. Those memories truly mean a lot to me. I am currently back in Sri Lanka, but my thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. May he attain the supreme bliss of Nirwana.
Jagath demonstrated both kindness and intelligence throughout his life. Notably, following my near-fatal heart attack on January 7, 2022, he visited me in the hospital the next morning, offering support and valuable advice. He took two hours from his demanding schedule to converse with me, and his presence greatly improved my morale. He will be missed
Dr. Kaluarachchi will be remembered by scientific fraternity through his work and mentorship. May his divine soul rest in the lotus feet of the Lord. May the bereaved family get solace from the Lord.
Dear Kaluarachchi Family, I just heard about Jagath's passing. I am sorry I missed the services. He was a wonderful man to work with, and for. By far one of the the most intelligent and most caring. I truly respected him. I was looking forward to seeing him again during the holidays. My best wishes to your family. Please know that he will be missed.
Dear Professor Kaluarachchi Family, I have just heard about the passing of my PhD supervisor, Professor Jagath J. Kaluarachchi. Professor Kaluarachchi thrilled me with his knowledge, skills, smartness, and dedication as a supervisor, a mentor, and a father. I am really sorry to hear so as we all will miss the advices and the services he kindly offerred to his students and colleagues, as well as his extended family at USU. I truly admired Professor Kaluarachchi for his kind assistance and guidance through my journey at USU. Kindly accept my best wishes and deep codolences. Everybody who had the honor to get to know Professor Kaluarachchi will miss him a lot. Regards,
Oh! How shocking was that. Dr. Kalu (as we used to say) was not just a PhD supervisor but a close person who directed me and heartly cared about fine details in my PhD study at USU. He represented a model for me that I after my graduation tried to follow with my master students. All the time he is present in my mind as a practical and realistic person to the limit that his professional character is rooted in my personality. I remember visiting him at his home with my wife and kids and the hospitality there. My deep condolences to his wife Indera, his son Romal and his daughter Milinka.
Dear Professor Kaluarachchi Family, please accept my deepest condolences. Professor Jagath Kaluarachchi was my supervisor during my PhD journey at USU. His passing is a profound loss to all of us who had the honor of knowing him. Professor Kaluarachchi was a truly exceptional mentor. He possessed remarkable brilliance in his field, but what distinguished him most was his kindness and generosity. He supported me through the most challenging phases of my doctoral journey—not only academically, but also mentally —ensuring I had the stability needed to succeed. He consistently guided me and provided invaluable advice. His legacy lives on through the many students whose lives he touched and transformed. He will be deeply missed.
I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Jagath. Having had the privilege of collaborating with him on several proposals and projects for several years. I came to know him as a brilliant scholar and a wonderful human being. He brought not only immense expertise but also a spirit of kindness to our relationship. I will always remember his insightful contributions and the dedication he showed. My thoughts are with Indira, his family, and the entire CEE department during this difficult time. With heartfelt sympathy,
We are deeply saddened to hear of Jagath’s passing. He was a dear friend of ours for nearly 30 years. We fondly remember the many times we gathered in Logan, sharing laughter, singing, and dancing together. He was a wonderful host and a reliable friend who always went out of his way to offer thoughtful advice and support. He will be greatly missed. May his soul rest in peace.
In Loving Memory
