From Anil Kumar's remarks at Ashish's Memorial Service (March 24, 2012):

"Deeply saddened and shocked by the news of his sudden demise, we are all here today to know and remember Ashish or Purdy, or Purd as he was known to us, his friends from our undergraduate days in India. As a person with an always ready smile, cheerful, kind and considerate, Purdy was loved by one and all. He was unique in many ways and will leave his mark forever on all of us. I had the great fortune to have my life intertwine with Ashish time after time – first at IIT where we did Mechanical engineering together (or I studied it and Ashish did his best to study what I and others studied), then to find him at Kent State while I was at Case Western; then as dorm mates together at Case – I would cook, Purdy would do dishes (happily I might add but not very well!!). We attended his wedding to Mary and then lost touch only to find him living in Atlanta only a few miles from our house, almost 10 years later with Mary and two beautiful children Jennifer and Alex. Our best times were traveling to all the IIT Kanpur reunions where he and I would share a hotel room most of the time (and he does snore a lot).
As the sad news of his passing away spread through the IIT friends listserve, there has been an outpouring of fond memories and unique quirks that made Ashish special. We have compiled these in a small booklet for Mary and Ashish's family. Let me quote a few remembrances:
“When we were all living in Wing 6 in our first year, Purdy always wore the same crepe blue shirt. When PD Parikh asked him to change, our man, in his nonchalant style, pulls up the back of his collar to his nose. "I can stand it!", was his response, "I only change my clothes when I can't stand my own stench". – from Weedy
And talking of clothes, here is a quote from CD Naik who is here today – “Purdy and some of IITK classmates visited us in New Jersey a couple of years ago for my 25th anniversary. Purdie as usual forgot his formal clothes for the party. Those are the traits that made him so popular with everyone. And then he shows up for a guys beach reunion in Jamaica with his suit!! You will see many pictures of Purdy on the monitors in his casuals while we are all in suits.
Here is a quote from Ajay Dubey “I remember that Ashish used to live from the suitcase through the semester. He would just open his suitcase and get the clothes and put the worn clothes (very infrequently) back. At the end of the semester, he would just close the suitcase and take it home. No problems of unpacking and packing.” And he did the same while we shared hotel rooms together.
So as we bid farewell to our dear friend, let me quote you one last memory of Ashish Pradhan from yet another IIT friend Dinesh Naik:
"Rest in peace Ashish.
You left us too soon.
Blue is how those of us left behind feel right now.
White and Blue were the colours of your shirt I remember in IIT.
White and blue are where you are right now with the Maker in Heaven surrounded by His other Angels."

Dear Salil
Very sorry to hear of the untimely demise of your brother. My heartfelt condolences & prayers for him.do get in touch n please let me have your cell no
Best wishes & prayers

Moose was a very dear friend of mine.His passing away is a very grave loss.May God give his family strength to bear this irrepairable loss.May his soul rest in peace.

Quite shocking, and very sad news. Hard to imagine the ever smiling Purdy is no more with us. I was his batchmate at IITK and can still recall the first time I met Purdy (in the company of AK Menon and Nag Rao) during the ragging period of our fresher year in Hall 3 @ IITK and he thought I was a senior... with hilarious consequences! I will always remember this and other episodes with the ever smiling Purdy!  May you find the strength to bear this loss with courage, and may fond memories of him be a source of smiles and inspiration for the future.

Mary, I was devestated to hear from Salil about Ash's demise and, after speaking with you, even more so. It is hard to believe that we will never see him again. He was one of my dearest friends and I shall miss him dearly. Nitu joins me in offering our condolences to you, Jennifer and Alex. If there is anything we can do for you, now or in the future, you have only to call

I am deeply saddened at the loss of our dear classmate Ashish from S'na , I remember him as a very pleasant and amiable person . May god give him and his family strength to face this irreperable loss .

I have many fond memories of Purd -  playing tennis with him on the courts next to Hall I, hanging around with him at many cultural festivals, getting stressed out in the canteen late at night with exams coming, discussing the merits of baths, .... An easy going and happy-go-lucky guy whom the entire hostel counted as a friend.  He will be missed by all.  Mary, Alex and Jennifer, please accept my heartfelt condolences.  The loss of a loved one is very hard to bear, may it become easier to accept with the passage of time. Fellow friends of Purd, with sorrow, 'tel ho gaya'...

I was shocked to hear about the passing of Ashish "Purdy" Pradhan.  I met him for the first time when we were freshers at IIT-K, Hall III, Wing 6, 3rd floor.  His smile, attitude and general wonderful spirit can never be forgotten by anyone who knew him.  I wish his family my sincerest condolences and to let them know that Purdy was a much loved man, both by family and friends.  RIP.

I knew Ashish during my days at IIT Kanpur. What I remember most about him was his fun loving, easy going attitude. He was a fun guy to hang out with - I recall drinking innumerable cups of tea late at night at the canteen with him while discussing the finer things of life. You were a good friend, Purdy and you'll be missed by many. Wish I had been more in touch with you during the past few years. I hope Mary, Alex and Jennifer find the courage to carry on and find some solace in your memories.

We were in the same dormitory, where we shared our lives and dizzy moments, as we grew up and i was really surprised how after all these years he suddenly one fine day, on my birthday early this March actually, re-entered my life and there were so many fresh memories that that mail brought back and now i hear he has given himself up to the summer breeze. I wish Mary and the kids and his mother strength and fortitude in this hour of pain and loss.
Vivek Ahluwalia, 1 year junior to him in Sanawar.

My heart goes out to all his family. There are no words to express our sorrow and anguish at such a loss. God give you strength and may you one day be able to celebrate the time that he was with you on this earth. I remember him as a shy, gentle classmate from S'na. Rest in peace Moose

Will always have his smile in my memories. It was too sudden. Bhala Ghatate

Ashish or Moosie as we knew him was a very gentle soul. In the 9 years or so that I knew him in school, he never bullied anyone, and being a junior I know. He was mild but there was something in him that he could not be dominated, even though he was not a member of the dominant "gang". He was always into science and maths, almost a "mad scientist". I am drifting but that was Moosie and I trust he will come with some good ideas for God, with whom he now rests. Manu Virmani

Moosey was one of my closest friends in Sanawar and the epitome of gentleness----- never saw him loose his temper even once.The news of his passing away is shocking and I pray that God give his family the courage and fortitude to bear this tremendous loss.God bless your soul,Moose---- I'll always cherish the time we were together!Rest in peace Brother.

We were together in school for seven years a long time ago. Yet is seems like yesterday. Ashish and I shared a passion for science that brought us together as friends. We lost touch after school and then, thanks to the internet, came in contact again quite recently. Was hoping to have a reunion sometime soon but it is not to be. R.I.P. my friend and fellow "mad scientist".

I knew Ashish Pradhan or Moose/Moosey as he was most affectionately called, the last time i met up with him was  at the hill top where he had come with his family, a kind and gentle soul   (Sanjay Sikri)

My family and I are so very sorry to hear about Ashish's passing and send our most heartfelt condolences to you. You are in our prayers.

I was his batchmate at IIT Kanpur from 1975-1980. I remember his gentle nature and winsome smile. May God rest his soul in peace, and give his surviving family the courage to live on.

I am very sorry and saddened by the untimely departure of my dear friend Ashish. We became instant best friends since the day I met him at Bombay VT station departing for our five year stay in IIT Kanpur. He exposed me to the world or Rock Music, playing a guitar, tennis and many other finer things in life. I vividly remember his anecdotes and funny stories, most of them self-deprecating. I will miss you a great deal, Purdy. I hope God will give Mary, Alex and Jennifer strength to bear this loss.

I knew Ashish Pradhan or Moose/Moosey as he was most affectionately called from the mid 1960's when we were in Prep School. A gentle and kind soul with a flair for science & mathamatics Moosey was a rare genius. We parted ways in December of 1973 and never met again; we got re-aquainted recently via Face Book & the Internet. He had promised to meet up on his next visit to India and attend our Class of 1973 annual get together; alas that was not to be.  His death has shocked us all here, may Moosey rest in peace. 

Pls accept my sincere & heartfelt condolences, if there is anything I can do from here for you or your family, please do not hesitate to ask.

Sanjiv K Singh.
Mobile ++ 91 98113-02823.
sksinghsk@yahoo.com
New Delhi. INDIA.

I'm very sorry to hear about Ashish's passing at such a young age.  May you all have the strength to bear this loss.  My thoughts are with you.
Malini Johar Schueller

I would like to live the beautiful memories of my high school best of friends with whom I spent my transformative years as a child. It was in Sanawar a place on the hilltop in India's most prestigious school where we shared the same dormitory in Vindhya House from 1965 to 1973. Moose as we fondly called him was a genius that perhaps would have rattled Einstein and has the distinction of being the one and only boy, from our class to join the most prestigious IIT (Indian Institute of Technology). A lovable guy, having a unique quality of never having an adversary. In reality he was perhaps the best arbitrator as there was not a soul who ever disliked him. His sense of absent minded humor was unique, his brilliance rare. Then there was this twitchy unique smile that would assure you, that it was for you, and only you exclusively, although there were a 100 in the room thinking likewise. I am fortunate to leave the first tribute from my class to my brother and friend. Then so the others will tell the tale of a legend that will never fade. 
IT IS THE WAY WE HAVE IN SANAWAR THE BEST MOOSE OF ALL & WE WILL LIVE IN THIS MANS SHADOW TILL THE LAST BUGLE CALL 
Subri
VBD 73
Lawrence School Sanawar Vindhya House Batch of 1973
http://www.oldsanawarian.com/
Krishnan Subramanian (Mclean VA)

We are so very sorry to hear of Ashish's passing.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time of great sorrow.  Bob and Mary Monnin

OBITUARY

Ashish M. Pradhan

November 25, 1957 – March 20, 2012

Sandy Springs Chapel

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