Balkrishna Damodar Kale

MADISON - Balkrishna “Bal” Kale, age 99, devoted husband, father and grandfather passed away on December 3, 2024.

Bal was born in Neeralgi, India. He grew up with his grandparents. After completing his high school, he went to Karnatak University in Dharwad and received his Master’s degree in Economics and Political Science. Throughout his early years, he participated in India’s struggle for freedom. Pursuant to his education, he taught at the Karad College for a short time. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Deputy Director of the Economic Research Institute at the Janata Shikshana Samiti in Dharwad.

Upon his return to Dharwad, his grandparents and his future mother-in -law introduced him to Vanmala. They were married on June 14, 1955. They had 66 beautiful years together.

In 1965, Bal got a fellowship to study at the University of Pennsylvania where he received a second Master’s degree in Demography. He moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin where he taught at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. His family joined him there in 1971. Later, he joined the Department of Administration, at the State of Wisconsin, as a Senior Demographer where he served for 24 years before retiring. He was responsible for projecting and estimating populations for each city, town and village in Wisconsin. Back then, Dad could recite the names of all 72 counties in Wisconsin!

Even though Bal juggled work and home, he always made time for his two daughters. He helped them with their homework, played, read stories and taught them about Indian culture and language.

As a family, we traveled all over the United States. He would plan out a route for the trip every summer. He loved to drive solely relying on maps and stopping at gas stations to get directions. We went to all four corners of the U.S. visiting national parks. Along the way, he would be driving and telling us girls to look at the scenery like the rivers, lakes and mountains ahead. We have fond memories of our adventurous trips. He loved taking pictures and putting together a slide show of the trips!

Bal, throughout his life, was a very kind, compassionate, caring, giving man. He contributed to many charities. Among some of the charities he gave to are St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest Food Bank, Sewa International among many others. He loved reading non-fiction books especially biographies and memoirs. He also loved doing word searches.

Bal was a member of the Vedanta Society of Madison and organized fundraising to collect donations for the needy. He volunteered at a homeless shelter.

Bal was an eternal optimist. He looked at life’s challenges as something one must go through. He always told us don’t think about how you will get something done, just start doing it. No matter what, he always had a smile on his face and the glass always half full!

Like Vanmala, Bal also came to help one of his daughters, who was a schoolteacher. He helped her get ready for a new school year by decorating and arranging the classroom. He also mentored many young colleagues at the Department of Administration at the State of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin. Moreover, he would go out of the way to help anyone in need.

Bal was a superhero and the light of our lives. Keeping him in their hearts are his daughters, Pramodini (Deepak) and Vibhavari; grandson, Ajay; and many nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and nephews. Bal was preceded in death by his wife, Vanmala; his parents; and his brothers, Ramchandra and Gopalkrishna; and his sister, Indirabai Atavale.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Dean Clinics, St. Mary’s Hospital staff and Oak Park Place Nakoma Rehabilitation Center staff that have cared for him. Everyone that has been a part of his care has provided excellent treatment and support.

In keeping with his nature, funeral services are private and for the immediate family.  

Those wishing to honor his life can make a donation in his name to the American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org./aha/donate) or any other organization of your choosing. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420