Harnarayan Ahir

Harnarayan Ahir, beloved husband and devoted father, who always prioritized above all else the needs of his family and that of his surrounding Hindu community that he drew strength from, passed away at his home on Saturday, December 29th, 2018 in peace and surrounded by the many who loved him. He was 70 years old. Ahir, as he was affectionately known, lived his life with a boundless energy and curiosity that took him from the halls of Gujarat University in India to the University of North Dakota in the late-1960s, where he graduated with a degree in Nuclear Engineering. A native of Ahmedabad, India, Ahir’s first steps on American soil were in Fargo, N.D., where he once wrote: “it was below zero [when I arrived]; there was snow on the ground, the wind was terrible, and I’d just left 90-degree weather at home…the language and the temperature change made for quite a maturing process!” Selfless to a fault, Ahir found his greatest joys as a caretaker and role model to his children, as an endearing grandfather to his grandchildren, and as a cherished partner to his beloved wife. Others saw more than just glimpses of the man his family and friends always knew him to be; he was a respected professor at Owens Community College to generations of young students whom he taught to love chemistry and math and an accomplished co-worker long relied upon at nuclear power plants across Canada and the United States, including Northwest Ohio’s Davis Besse (First Energy) for over 25 years, for his attention to detail and hard work. Ahir, simply put, lived the American dream and, though his brave battle with chronic illness has ended, his memory and impact will always endure. He is survived by his wife, Bimla Ahir, of 40 years, his son, Mr. Rikesh Ahir, daughters, Dr. Nisha Ahir and Mrs. Reena Ahir, son-in-laws, Dr. Vin Gupta and Mr. Rodney Muldrow, and grandchildren, Aydan Ahir Gupta and Riya Lillie Muldrow. Prayers will be held at Walker Funeral Home on 5155 W. Sylvania Ave at 9:30 AM on Monday, December 31st. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Cherry Street Mission in honor of Harnarayan’s life at https://cherrystreetmission.org/donate/ or the Hindu Temple of Toledo at https://hindutempleoftoledo.org/pay_services/index.php.