Sanmukh Panwala
Obituary
Sanmukh "San'' Panwala passed away of natural causes at his home on December 21, 2022, at the age of 84. Born in a poor family as the youngest of seven children, he entered college in Surat, India, on a scholarship and double majored in electrical and mechanical engineering. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1969 with eight dollars in his pocket with a friend waiting for him at the airport. His wife followed him in 1971. They lived in several cities on the East Coast before moving to San Jose mid 1970's where he joined General Electric as an engineer. In 1980, San and Kusum bought the Echo Motel on the northside of Morgan Hill along Old 101. They raised their children there while living at that motel. It later became the Budget Inn Motel. In 2000, San and Kusum took their savings and built the Comfort Inn on Condit Road. They still own the hotel which received a Gold Award last year.
San was a regular at local businesses such as banks, Jody's Junction and Long Drugs. His gregarious nature is remembered by many. He loved taking photos and was involved in several South Asian community organizations such as Indian Cultural Association, Charitable Care Foundation, and Devotional Association of Sita-Ram.
San is survived by his wife, Kusum, his children, Asit and Ashmi, and three grandchildren, Nidhi, Sofia and Axel.
Published in Morgan Hill Times · December 27, 2022