Suresh Kulkarni Oral History Interview

In this interview, Suresh Kulkarni, originally from Hyderabad, India, discusses his life journey from a highly educated family in India to a successful career as an engineer at Thiokol in rural Utah, where he eventually became Vice President of Engineering. After retiring in 2003, he dedicated himself to volunteering, serving on hospital boards, economic development committees, and even writing a disaster plan for Brigham City. Kulkarni shares both the benefits of small-town life, such as strong community connections, and the challenges of being a Hindu minority in a predominantly Mormon area. He reflects on his family's experiences, including his parents' initial disapproval of his marriage to an American, his mother's eventual move to the US, and his grandchildren's educational and career successes. He expresses concern about political division in the US and emphasizes the importance of communication in small communities, hoping for a more cosmopolitan and accepting future for Brigham City.