Remembrance: Ramila & Niranjan Kamdar

We are so saddened by the news of Ashok leaving us at a young age.

We have known both you for more than 40 years, and have been very fond of you.

Ashok was an amazing grace, with a depth of an ocean and yet always calm, warm and the most genuine soul we have ever known.

He had such serenity and equanimity, reflecting oneness with his inner self.

I would like to say we’ll miss him, but then… he will always be with us.

Some people come in our life and are gone with a faint memory.

Others leave a deeper impression.

And then very few like Ashok never leave us.

Remembrance: Devendra Gupta

I can’t believe that Ashok has left us so suddenly and at a young age. It hurts me deeply because I had seen Ashok as a baby. My association and relationship with Ashok’s family go to over 75 years and 5 generations that I can remember. I wasn’t expecting to see such a day in my life when I have to grieve for someone like my own child. I have shared all aspects of Ashok’s life: As a toddler living in New Delhi in the Mandihouse only 5 minutes walk where I lived. His going to St. Columbus School, as valedictorian at IIT Kanpur, PhD. from the Stanford University in his early twenties, joining IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center at York  Town Heights NY soon after, getting married to Mala who herself was a teenager and my wife Sudha took care of her along with our own daughter Chitra, births of Ankur and Bobby, them growing up. I can go on and on.

Remembrance: Krishna and Sonia Saraswat

Since the days we were roommates, I always looked upto him. He was always “THE BEST” in every thing he did, whether it was academics, physical activities, general knowledge or anything else. You could discuss almost anything with him and he would be able to go in depth even if it was not the area of his expertise.

He was such a helpful person. One time we were coming down after climbing half dome in Yosemite and my knee started hurting. That was slowing me down. Being a wiser man, he was using walking sticks and realizing that I was in pain he gave them to me although it slowed him down considerably. I can recall lots of such little stories about him.

Remembrance: Ash Gupta

I had the fortune of seeing Ashok Wednesday a week and a half ago. Ashok was lying down in clear discomfort but was his usual self - optimistic, thoughtful, helpful. I said to him that I was having a difficult time solving the Rubik Cube. Ashok took the time to describe step by step the basic design of the cube and the way to solve it. He is one of those great people who lived their entire life giving, serving, assisting.

Ashok is physically not with us anymore - but he is part of us for ever. As we look back, there are countless memories that bring fondness about clarity of his thinking, his compassion and courage - visible at an even higher level over the last few months. 

Mala and Ashok have been just so integral part of our household, it is unimaginable to think of life without Ashok. But if life is finite, Ashok represents one of the finest examples a purposeful life led and a big legacy left behind.

Remembrance: Vijaya and Kumar Malavalli

Vijaya and I are deeply shocked and saddened to learn about our good friend Ashok's passing. It is so sad that such a person of good heart, humor and helpful nature had to leave this world so prematurely. While we cherish his fond memories, we pray for the departed soul. 

Remembrance: Ted Selker

Ashok still teaches  and supports me in many things I do, I showed a slide he made years ago in 3 talks I gave last week, I look for any way to help celebrate his life.

Remembrance: Aalok and Ami Shah

You have our deepest condolences. Ashok Uncle was a wonderful person and we will miss him as well. He was always very welcoming, upbeat and cheerful, and we felt like we were part of the family when we were at your home.