OBITUARY

Dalip Singh Chehil

March 23, 1929 – December 29, 2020

It is with profound grief that we inform you that our cherished father, Dr Dalip Singh Chehil, passed away peacefully in his home with his beloved daughter by his side on December 29, 2020 at the age of 92. Dr. Dalip Chehil was born in 1929 in a village in Punjab, India, called Jaspalon. He was a child born with an ambition and drive to be the best human being he could be through learning, hard work, spiritual devotion, and healthy living. He dedicated his life to study, service and family. He lived his life with integrity, honesty, and humility. Having lost both parents in his youth, he was saddled with responsibility early and committed himself to ensuring that his siblings and the extended future generation of his family were secure and given access to a better life. He completed a Master’s degree at the India Institutes of Technology and was awarded a prestigious scholarship to complete his PHD in applied Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin. He was joined in Maddison by his wife, Kuldip, who completed her Masters in Education there. They subsequently settled in Nova Scotia where they had two children and he completed his career as full Professor in the Department of Engineering at Dalhousie University. He had a passion for teaching and dedicated countless hours to mentoring, motivating and supporting learners. He strongly believed in education as an avenue to individual and community empowerment. One of his legacies is the Dalhousie Guru Nanak Scholarship awarded to African Nova Scotian students which he was inspired to create to encourage children from within the African Nova Scotian community (where his wife began her teaching career) to enter engineering. In addition to his dedication to learning, teaching and his academic profession, Dr. Dalip Chehil was a pioneer of the Nova Scotia Sikh community and one of the founders of the Maritime Sikh Society. Above all, he was a gentle, selfless, loving and exemplary husband, father, brother, and friend. He helped a generation of his family immigrate to Canada while caring for and supporting the growth and success of his own family. He led by example and was an inspiration to his friends, extended family, community, children, grandchildren and multiple generations of students. He will always be remembered for his strength, courage, kindness, sensitivity, and generosity. He will be dearly missed. He was predeceased by his wife, Kuldip Kaur Chehil, and survived by his children, Sonia and Rick (Madhu); and his grandchildren, Anjuli and Arjun Chehil.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, a private service will be held. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at a later date once the pandemic restrictions are lifted.

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Pavna Sodhi

January 17, 2021

Dear Sonia and Rick,

My sincere condolences to your entire family. I have such fond memories of your Dad, as family friends and a strong community member. His diverse accomplishments and the life lessons we all learned from him will certainly keep his wisdom and spirit alive.
We were all so fortunate to know him.

Sending you love and strength.

Pavna

Manpreet Kaur

January 12, 2021

Dr. Dalip chehil,
What an amazing person and what a remarkable life. I feel so lucky that I got to know him.” I am glad that i get chance to spend some time with you and you gave us some beautiful memories to always remember you( chehil saab) .

Manrita Sidhu

January 9, 2021

Dear Rick, Sonia and entire family, we are so very sorry for your loss. We always loved seeing your parents in Vancouver- so warm and loving. What a beautiful tribute to an amazing life. Uncle was so brilliant and accomplished- an inspiration for us all. Know that our thoughts are with you. Love, Binu, Tom, Aidan, Ela and Mira

Ashwin Dhawan

January 9, 2021

Dear Sonia Aunty, Rick Uncle & Family

Growing up in Halifax, I have had fond memories with Chehil Uncle since I was a child. He is one of the few of his generation who have truly left a lasting impression on me. He served as a role model with his love, kindness, gentleness, simplicity, and ability to make those in his company feel valued. His dedication to his family, students, and community should inspire us all. His honourable example will be forever remembered by myself and others, and he will be very much missed.

Deep & Rani Saini

January 8, 2021

Dear Sonia,

Our sincerest condolences over the sad loss of your beloved father. We were moved to learn about how much he meant to you. As fellow Punjabis, we also feel proud of his outstanding accomplishments and the legacy he left for you and the rest of us to cherish.

With our prayers for peace and strength,

Deep and Rani

Tony and Joffrette Francis

January 5, 2021

Dear Sonia,

Our sincerest condolences to you and your family. May he Rest In Peace.

Tony and Joffrette Francis

Mala Chopra

January 5, 2021

Dearest Rick and Sonia,

Your Dad was such a kind gentle soul and I will always remember him. I still remember the happy, simple times we had together in Dartmouth when your Dad would watch over us as we did swimming lessons in the lake! Then when both our families moved to Halifax, just down the street from each other, it was always such a pleasure to meet Uncle as he would pass by our house on his walk. Uncle and Auntie were family to me.... always there when we needed help. He will always remain in my heart! ❤️

Jafar Tabrizi

January 4, 2021

Dear Sonia,

I know what you have been through for the past year . No one can ever describe your devotion towards your Father . May God’s mercy give you comfort knowing that your father’s long suffering has ended and he is in peace now.
You are in my thoughts and prayer during this painful time

Robert & Anne Marie Sime

January 4, 2021

Dear Sonia and family ,
Having the pleasure of being your family's neighbors
for close to thirty years there is a lot of daily philosophy we shared with both your Mom and Dad , mainly about our kids and our heritage homes. Just plain and straight forward neighbourly discussions We always enjoyed seeing the two of them walking the dogs daily down to the park. A task that you have taken on. There was a lot of love in those walks , and I always looked forward to their return as an opportunity to chat.
We will miss them both , but happy that they are together again
Stay strong you were with them both to the end. They were very proud of you.
Amen
Still your neighbours,
Bob & Anne Marie Sime
,

Braj Prasad

January 4, 2021

Dear Rick, Madhu and Family

We are saddened to hear the news of your dear father passing away peacefully. Right now no words will help to heal the pains you are feeling but please try to find comfort in the many wonderful memories you have for him and remember that he will love you and be with you in your heart. Those we love can never be more than a thought away for as long as there’s memory they live in our hearts stay.
Rick, although your Dad and I studied together at the Indian institute of technology, Kharagpur, India and at the more or less the same period but did not meet him until he came to Vancouver and you introduced him as your dad. I found him to be a thorough gentleman full of knowledge, kind, sociable , friendly and a family man. Whenever my wife Sita and I got a chance to meet we felt attracted to him and his wife and wished to meet more often but distance kept us apart. We kept ourselves informed about them through our association with Rick and Madhu.
Our deepest and heartfelt condolences to you and your family we pray God to give you strength to bear this irreparable loss of your loved one your Dad

We pray his soul Rest In Peace.

Braj, Sita Prasad & Family

FROM THE FAMILY