The purpose of this board is to share thoughts, prayers, memories, or any other comments about our friend and colleague Chandrashekhar "Chandru" Hiremath. Chandru was killed in a traffic accident in Mobile on Friday, June 30. He was 29. Chandru was loved and respected by everyone who knew him and he will be missed tremendously.
It seemed to me that Chandru was always smiling. This was an amazing thing given the extraordinary course load he always carried. I marveled at how he balanced the load against his duties with the IDD department and often wished that I had the remarkable drive and energy that characterized Chandru.
Always eager to help other students, he readily offered explanations to other students in classes. In many of the courses we shared, with his laptop (with accompanying coffee cup) always available, his often made offers to email printed class notes which helped make the way easier for many of us. Chandru was thoughtful in that way.
I remember that I once gave a presentation on stress management in a class we shared. Chandru noted that he didn’t have stress. This may be the greatest lesson Chandru taught me. I think we can all learn from the special traits that Chandru embraced in achieving his tough goals, timelines, and aspirations, while maintaining a peace of mind as he continued his stride through life.
I am very saddened to hear of his loss. His untimely death cuts short what I am sure would have been an extraordinary career. His brilliant command of the theories and practices of ID combined with his generosity toward colleagues would have made him the ideal co-worker in any fortunate organization. He has gone too soon.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Chandru's family and friends. Unfortunately, I only knew Chandru for a short time. Even though, in most of my classes, his name would come up. Faculty always recommended him if we needed assistance with special projects. Chandru was a good man. He will be missed by all.
Chandru was an amazing person, with a great spirit who touched the lives of many. Helpful, pleasant and tactful. My deepest sympathies are with you all. He will be sadly missed.
I can't believe this. I thought it was a joke at first. How could someone as amazing as Chandru be gone? I like some of you, was always amazed by Chandru's incredible energy and drive. He worked so hard in every class I had with him that I felt like a slacker in comparison. I will miss him so very much.
I was so saddened to hear the news that Chandru is gone. He always had a smile for me, as I'm sure he did for everyone. I was always amazed at how much he could juggle at one time--the course load, work, etc., all with a wonderful attitude. I will always remember him as someone who was willing to help everyone. He had an incredibly bright future and will be terribly missed.
I knew Chandru during my Master's program in Info. Systems at CIS, Univ of South Alabama. I got introduced to Chandru from our CIS professor Dr. Bart Longenecker who said Chandru was one of the very few genuinely creative persons he knew in a long long time. That is 100% true. He was an intelligent man who was very humble about his achievements. I remember the tremendous dedication he had to his curriculum work. When not at school, one would always find him in the library with his laptop, ipod and the trademark coffee mug (The only time he was without the coffee mug was when he worked out at the Rec Center).
Personally he helped me on several occasions during my difficult times. It is really unfortunate that his life came to an end in such a shocking cirumstance.
Thanks for all your help Chandru. You certainly made a difference in my life. We will all miss you very much. My heartfelt condolences to his family in India. With affection and deep sympathy, we pray that God comfort you in this difficult time.
I met chandru on very few occasions in my life, all i could recollect when i think about chandru is his smiling face, Chandru's demise had brought a shocker to me when i got to know the news earlier today, may god bless chandru's soul to rest in peace.
How shocked and sad I was to read of Chandru's suddent and tragic death. I knew him only from my last course in the spring, but his good nature and quiet confident intelligence shone through. We would all joke with him and he would willingly share his knowlege and help.
I pray that God gives his family and friends strenght, comfort and peace as they go through this time of grief.
I would like to honor such a great man called Chandru.
The most gentleman and intelligent person I ever met. His balanced way of living and harmony taught me so much about how to act and react in the circumstances life presents us. I worked with him for four months at Bowhead, and I have to tell you…he was so balanced and wise. Chandru was a young genius that when called genius did not like it , so humble he was, but everyone knew how intelligent he was. He was always willing to help. Sometimes I felt embarrased to ask him something because his attitude was to stop what he was doing and try to help instead finishing his own. Do you know we went once to Dallas, and Chadru used to make sure all the time to call me to make sure I was around and making me comfortable around everyone. Chandru… Unfortunately, we never will have that dinner with your girlfriend and my wife at the Mexican restaurant.... We will always keep you in our hearts my friend. Do know…. I think I know what he would tell us in such circumstance that is something he told me once when I was having a hard time, and it was…..”Wagner…I know that is hard,,,,but life is too big…lets keep going…( smile).” Yes my friend you are right, as most of the time…but this time it is so painful. We will keep going my dear, but with you in our heart.
What a talented and wonderful person he was. I am so happy to have known him and wonder why people so warm and helpful are sometimes taken in such ways. I am reminded of a saying which has often brought me peace at such times...
Perhaps God is a Poet Who Writes with Words
Of Flesh and Bone and Leaf and Flower.
Every Hour of Every Day,
Words Pour out of the Poet’s Heart.
And every Word is Beautiful
And True and Worth the Telling.
And When Each Poem is Perfect,
And there is no More which ought to be said,
The Poet Gently takes the Words
Back into His Heart, Where
They are safe Forever…
And then Begins Again.
Blessings and Prayers to Chandru's family and friends.
How we will miss Chandru. I can't imagine UCOM without him. As Wagner noted, he was such a considerate, kind, and gentle soul. Once last fall when we were working on our 650 project, he took the time to stop by to help and encourage us, although I'm sure he had much work of his own. His sweet spirit, good humor, and utter stresslessness diffused the stress we were feeling at the time, and got us back on track. I will always remember him for these characteristices--not to mention his abject brilliance.
May the Lord comfort Chandru's family as they mourn the loss of this precious and promising young man.
Chandru was an especially bright and accomplished young man. More importantly, however, he had a generous and loving spirit. He was full of grace and I loved him. I will miss your quiet way, Chandru.
Though we didn't get the chance to work closely together in many things, Chandru has been a fixture in the IDD program for as long as I can remember. He was always gentle and friendly. We were carrel mates for a while and he had just started working with me on the statistics for my proposal last Wednesday. He shared what he wanted to study and where he was in the process and how much he enjoyed what he was doing. My heart goes out to his family during this time of deep grief, but I know that his soul rests in the company of God and all his amazing qualities live on in the memories each of us has about him.
Chandru will always be my friend in spirit and memory. I cannot even attempt to give an explanation that would be of any comfort to his friends or family at this tragic moment in our lives. Death never makes sense when it visits the young and vibrant.
No one knows if Chandru felt that his time on earth would be shortened, but he lived everyday to the fullest. I have always been amazed at how much he would accomplish each semester. No wonder he needed so much coffee!
It is in times like these that we need to reach out in faith, believing life has purpose. I guess most importantly I believe life is not accidental, nor an act of chance. Each life should be celebrated at birth and honored when it has been taken away.
Chandru has left a challenge for all of us. What are we going to do with the time we have left?
Today July the 3rd after the memorial service I have being reflecting about all we heard and something struck me hard. When Dr. Surry gave his wonderful speech about love and how it was what made Chandru special, it made me to remember one time when we were talking about future. Chandru wanted to get a second Phd in California and one day to come back to India and became a Monk at age of 60. He said that it was an honor in his culture to be a Monk and he feels that it may be his destiny. Guess what?! You can not jut became a monk, you have to be born to it, and Chandru was. That is why he always had words of wisdom for we all, and he was so much in balance. Chandru….it was an honor to meet you and share some of your wonderful world. At least to me you will be the Monk Chandru which touched so many lives, now there is only remaining question …. Who are these people that you touched, why, and what or who they will be in the future. There is always a reason and purpose, and whatever it is you fulfill your destiny.
Please accept my highest admiration, Monk Chandru.
How blessed I am that I met Chandru. What a sweet person. Not only did he cary his own workload, he would put all aside to help anyone in need, as I usually was. He always had a smile and a kind word. He will be greatly missed.
Dan Surry wrote: The purpose of this board is to share thoughts, prayers, memories, or any other comments about our friend and colleague Chandrashekhar "Chandru" Hiremath. Chandru was killed in a traffic accident in Mobile on Friday, June 30. He was 29. Chandru was loved and respected by everyone who knew him and he will be missed tremendously.
I did not know about this tragedy, till I ran into Chandru's sister in Bangalore, India. It was shocking. My first thought was, God! why this family. The family has been known to be one of the most loving and helpful families that I have ever known. And chandru was an absolute darling. Funny, Sensitive, Caring. Though I have not met or seen him in the last 4 years, I remember him specially for the sponge cakes, he introduced me to ( I remember him every time I have sponge cakes!!) and for the support he provided when I was going thru' a difficult time. I pray that God will give strength to his family, especially his mother. I will miss you always, chandru! Jayashree
