I learned of Vatsal's passing on Sunday afternoon, the day after it happened. For the first couple of days, I was in disbelief because I had just spoken with him a few days earlier.

I really enjoyed working with him and considered him my friend even though we have never met face to face. I always tried to include him on my projects because we worked very well together as a team. Often when we would talk on the phone half of the call was related to work and the other half just friendly conversation. We would often discuss weight lifting in the gym because we both enjoyed it. Vatsal would tell me about his motorcycle and how much he enjoyed riding. I remember when he was badly hurt in a wreck. I've had several motorcycles myself so we would joke that we would rent a couple Harley Davidson motorcycles and ride together once he got a U.S. rotation. Harley Davidson are very loud motorcycles of course so I'd tell Vatsal we'd get the loudest ones we could find and rattle all the windows around Dallas Texas as we rode down the streets. He'd laugh and laugh at the thought of that. Even as I write this I can't help but smile.

Vatsal was excited about his upcoming move to Mumbai (I think that was the city) in June. If I remember correctly the move would be much closer to you so he was very happy about that aspect. I would joke and tell him that even though he was moving he wasn't going to get away from me and all my project work. He'd laugh and say "of course not Larry." I think most of all I will miss his cheery personality and laughter. I would say silly things about people we worked with just to get Vatsal to laugh. Usually the key word to get a laugh from Vatsal was "crazy."

I do miss him very much. I regret I will never have the opportunity to work with speak with him again. He was, without question, my favorite person to work with India. My deepest condolences...