Claude Saldanha passed away on Friday, September 15, 2017 at the Hospice of the Hills in Rapid City, South Dakota at the age of 88, following a brief illness.

Claude was born on January 18, 1929 in Mangalore, India to the late Aloysius & the late Millie (Fernandes) Saldanha. He was the second youngest of 5 siblings. He had his education at St. Aloysius College in Mangalore, India. He made many moves in his adult life that took him to various cities across Northern India. He came to the US for a holiday and it was finally Rapid City, that touched his heart and he decided to call this place his forever home.

Claude married Benedicta “Bennie” Rodrigues in March 1978 in Mumbai, India.

Claude was a genuine, sincere, fun loving and a deeply religious man. In all these ways and more, he made our lives richer and fuller. He had an enormous influence on everyone who knew him and his calm wisdom and kindness will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Bennie Saldanha; brother; nieces and nephews and many close friends.