Tribute to a Good Man

S.R. Panini (a.k.a Nanna)

Sankhavaram Raghavacharya Pāṇini was a good man.

A stubborn man, he didn’t compromise on tradition and gifted his given name to his family.

He was a man who told dad jokes in Sanskrit.

He literally lived out the values of a die-hard fan, wearing a Cincinnati Bengals shirt until his last breath.

He was a walking encyclopedia of lifesaving trivia, from the enzymes of biochemistry to the best deal on the highest-rated TV or microwave.

He was avant-garde: taking B&W selfies in the 60’s, moving to the other side of the world, deep-diving all the sci-fi & fantasy books decades before they were streaming on TV, curating craft beer in the 90’s, and buying a first-generation Prius.

With a deeply private and hermit nature, he did not judge, maintaining his integrity and character, wordlessly accepting people as they were.

Ever the scientist: errors were to be dealt with, owned, and the experiment of life was to be run, again. Every failure was a learning opportunity, whether you like it or not.

He was fearless, authentic, kind, and nice.

More people should be like Sankhavaram Raghavacharya Pāṇini.

The best time to plant a tree was a generation ago, and the second-best time is today. My family invites you to plant a grove of trees.