May 17, 2017

 

Born on August 8, 1937 in Kanpur, India, he last served as Professor Emeritus of Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. Eldest son of late Bala Prasad (father) and Sharda Dixit (mother), he obtained his doctorate degree from Banaras Hindu University, India and spent his last 55 years in the United States, as a professional scientist uncovering the building blocks (collagen) that give shape to human teeth. He was also a true philanthropist touching thousands of human souls under the umbrella of Jyoti Children Development Foundation. As the founding president of this charity that educates special needs (hearing impaired) children in India Saryu saw the sufferings and offered a helping hand, which is now one of the largest and equally historic humanitarian (not-for-profit) undertakings of its kind in rural India (Bithoor, Kanpur). He also served as the President and Board Member of many social/voluntary organizations in the United States.

 

Saryu passed away peacefully on May 17th, 2017, at his home in Burr-Ridge, IL. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Shanti; loving daughters Purnima Dixit and Arunima Shukla and their beloved husbands; grand kids, Rohan and Rishi (Purnima); Navika, Shivali, and Sajal (Arunima); beloved brothers Vishwanath, Ramesh, Suresh and their lovely wives. Dear nieces, nephews and their beloved children also cherish his loving and caring memories.

 

As you read these lines, final preparations are well underway for our 108th Rotary International Convention, 10-14 June in Atlanta. We're looking forward to one of the biggest and best Rotary conventions yet, as we celebrate not only a wonderful year of Rotary Serving Humanity, but a full century of Doing Good in the World through The Rotary Foundation.

 

If you haven't already made plans to attend, it's not too late to register at riconvention.org. There is simply no better way to round off another great year in Rotary than by coming together with 40,000 or so of your fellow Rotarians to share ideas, find inspiration, and have a great time together.

 

We're excited to have Bill Gates, a friend and partner in our work to eradicate polio, speaking at our convention this year. And it's worth arriving early to attend a special Presidential Peace Conference, scheduled for 9-10 June and featuring Bernice A. King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.

 

I'm proud to host a convention that is practically in my own backyard: Atlanta is a vibrant, modern state capital just a two-hour drive from my home city of Chattanooga, Tenn., and it's a great place to experience the famous hospitality of the American South. Our Host Organization Committee has a great week planned, starting with the "Blue Jeans and Bluegrass" kickoff event on Saturday night.

Come on over to Centennial Olympic Park, right across from the House of Friendship, and get in a dancing mood with Grammy Award winner Ricky Skaggs and his Kentucky Thunder band. Meet up with friends old and new at the Centennial Celebration Block Party or on the Peace Tour of Atlanta. Roll up your sleeves for the Habitat Home Build, or tie up your laces to take part in the 3K Walk/Run to End Polio Now. And before you say goodbye, come back to the House of Friendship for one more party: our Foundation's 100th birthday party, with (of course!) cake and ice cream.

 

It's going to be an incredible experience, and Judy and I are looking forward to celebrating with you – or, as we say in the South, with y'all! See you in Atlanta!