In Memoriam: Ravi Sachdeva

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Ravi Sachdeva, longtime owner/operator of American Pest Management, Manhattan, Kan., died on Dec. 14, at 64. Sachdeva passed away at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Mo., following complications from a stroke, according to his obituary. 

A native of India, Sachdeva’s parents sent him and his two brothers, Devinder and Inder, to top-rated schools in India. In December 1977, Sachdeva moved from New Delhi, India, to Manhattan, Kan. He fell in love with his new country, eventually becoming an American citizen. 

Sachdeva graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in marketing; he would later return for his masters in entomology. Sachdeva succeeded his father as owner of American Pest Management, in 2002. Sachdeva, along with wife Elaine and Vice President Travis Aggson, built American Pest Management into one of the largest pest control companies in Kansas.

Aggson told PCT that Sachdeva’s ability to build relationships was instrumental to the success of American Pest Management. “Ravi always believed work isn't work if you love what you do and who you work with,” Aggson said. “In his mind he was not working, he was visiting family and friends helping them have a better quality of life.” 

Aggson said Sachdeva taught him to never miss out on meeting someone; never turn down an opportunity; and not to be afraid to make mistakes. He also encouraged everyone at American Pest Management to push the limits and be creative; one of Sachdeva's favorite phrases, Aggson said, was "If you aren't making waves, you aren't making progress." 

Sachdeva is survived by Elaine, daughter Amanda and son Jesse.