Raghuveer Sundar Varadhan

We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of time"

How does one compress the life of such a profound man into a few short paragraphs to simply let people know he has passed, that a light in the world that shone so bright has now been extinguished? How does a wife or child find the words to express their grief and sorrow that someone so important to them has gone.

Sadly, at 2:00 a.m. on November 21,2015, Sam Raghuveer passed away from heart failure and we were soon to find out what it was like to struggle with this, among other struggles we never expected to face going forward. We were soon to find out just what it would be like with the departure of such a great man.

He was born and raised in Chennai, India, went to Montreal for his masters, took his wife, Ragini, and made the permanent move to become US citizens, so very far removed from their family, and on a journey that neither were soon to forget. They started in a basement apartment in New York, Sam working full time and supporting his wife while she studied to finish her Master degree. From there, the sky was the limit, if that, when they moved to the suburbs of New Jersey to give room to their family, which now included two daughters, Tejasvi and Yashasvi, for their education and upbringing. From the start, Sam believed in equal opportunity for all, no man better than any woman or vice versa. We were only as good as we made ourselves and strived to be. From the start, he made his daughters aware they could be anything and do anything. HE was always there as a supporting pillar of strength and love and guidance when he was needed, starting with his wife and her education.

He lived his life simply, enjoying the small things like spending time with his daughters and cherished son in-law, Raghavan, and his grandchildren, Ritvik and Ridhay, watching cricket, and going out with his wife. He knew the importance of a smile, and his could brighten any room, his infectious laughter ringing through any hall always drawing onlookers and friends, both old and new. He knew the importance of a kind word, always knowing how to compliment and console, to tease and joke. He knew the importance of family and friends, putting them ahead of all else. And he knew the importance of working and playing equally, always the most dedicated to his work, but also knowing when to step back and dance or sing or enjoy life.

He was a wonder, warm and welcoming and everything a husband and father should ever be. He was a man like no other. There are so many words that could be used to describe the man Sam Raghuveer was, but none would ever be enough to do him justice. He will be missed terribly by those he leaves behind, his wife, two daughters, family and friends alike.