Groundbreaking Ceremony Friday, September 5 marks Nearly $50,000 Renovations at Zauel Library

A local family has honored their retired father by celebrating his lifelong love of learning. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place Friday, September 5 at 2 p.m. at Zauel Memorial Library, 3100 North Center Road, to mark the beginning of nearly $50,000 in renovations to the conference room.

In early June, Saginaw Charter Township was approached by the family of Dr. Suryarao Kurumety, who were interested in finding a way to honor their father and his love of learning.  After several discussions, the family and the Township decided renovations to the conference room at Zauel Library would be the best way to honor Dr. Kurumety.  After his retirement, Dr. Kurumety organized a group of retirees who met monthly in the conference room to discuss issues of interest.

Suryarao Kurumety was born in 1935 in India. He practiced general medicine working for the Indian government until he came to the USA in 1974 at the age of 38. With him, he brought his wife Kamala, four children Suseela, Ravi, Sudha & Usha and his mother, Mangaraju.   Although his interest was engineering, he opted for medicine when he was not able to secure an engineering seat of his preference. While still studying at Kilpauk Medical School in Madras, he met his future wife, Kamala at a mutual family event. They were married in 1956 .  They moved from Amamdalavalasa and ventured to the United States seeking educational opportunities for their four children.

In 1975, he decided to serve his new country by enlisting in the US Navy. He was an active duty medical officer for eight (8) years and later as a Reservist for twelve (12) more years. He retired from the Navy as a full ranking Captain. During his service in the Navy, he worked in hospitals in Philadelphia, Bethesda & Norfolk. While at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, he cared for many dignitaries including President Gerald Ford. His international assignments included Japan, Italy, and Guantanamo Bay. He was recalled to active duty to serve during the Persian Gulf War. In 1982, Dr. Kurumety started his private practice and moved to Saginaw. After a few years in Saginaw, he then took a position as Chief of Radiology at Caro Community Hospital for the next fifteen (15) years. In 2000, he decided it was time to retire but soon after he was called by the VA Medical Center in Saginaw – to serve again. For the next eight (8) years, he helped his fellow military veterans.

Finally, he retired fully in 2008 after completing 50 years of medical service - both in India and the United States. The focus since then has been his wife, Kamala and his nine grandchildren.  His children sought a way to honor their father, stating that they are “blessed and grateful for the foundation our father laid for us and the values he instilled in us by leading an exemplary life of honor, commitment and integrity.”

Supervisor Tim Braun said the family has agreed to provide approximately $43,000 to renovate and remodel the conference room and furnishings.  The construction will be completed by Saginaw based Bergman Construction,  plus furnishings.  Township Board of Trustees approved the Bergman contract worth almost $38,000 at a meeting August 25, 2014.  Smaller in-kind donations will be sought from Friends of Zauel Library and the Township.  The project is to be completed this fall.