Aswan, born Robert Yeghizar, died surrounded by his hearts, in whose memories he will live on as the finest of men. An accomplished autodidact in the fields of graphic design and drumming, Aswan produced works of publishing and music that ranged from books for English Language Learners with WizdomInc to a performance at the UN for Unicef with the Passing Clouds. Throughout his adult life he was a practicing member of Subud, in which community he found strength, relief, and the gentle lessons of the latihan.
Aswan never mistook confidence for capacity, nor bravado for bravery. He never forced his will on others nor fed himself first, but he always acted as guided by his inner, and was never afraid to lead. As an apparition said to his youngest daughter in Venice, California, the day Aswan died, “Chi lascia la strada vecchia per la nuova sa quello che perde ma non quello che trova.” Indeed, Aswan always knew what he was giving up when he set foot on a new path, but his curiosity and conviction always pushed him to see what he would find.
Those who survive him hope he trained them half as well as he trained himself to bear hardship with kindness and grace, to love uniquely and loyally, and to listen always for new birds in the neighborhood. His ashes are mixed with those of his drumsticks, as noblemen are always accompanied in their afterlife by the things with which they enriched the world and through which their own world was enriched.
May he find what next he seeks, and give us a peek when he’s ready.
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