Dr. Ashok Kumar Chandra

Birth date: Jul 30, 1948 Death date: Nov 15, 2014

Ashok was born in India on Friday, July 30, 1948 and lived 66 wonderful, loving and happy years. When he came to America, he earned his PhD. as a Research Scientist in the technology industry and was a long time resident in Sarato Read Obituary

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Mike Wirth

527w ago

I first met Ashok during the time I was being hired into the IBM Almaden Research Center in a somewhat non-standard process, part of what he described as the “Taking a bite out of Apple” project. It was April ’97 when Steve Jobs was back in charge at that company and laid off the entire ATG (Advanced Technology Group), plus a bunch of others. ARC was swooping in to pick up some talent. A few years later, when we were having an informal going-away party for Ashok, people were sharing anecdotes about his time as Director of the Computer Science Lab. Wondered what I could add that would be the least bit significant amidst the many accolades. So I told a joke: “What’s the difference between the Boy Scouts and Apple?” Answer: “The Boy Scouts have adult leadership.” And I continued that Ashok was very much like the Boy Scout leadership , which I much appreciated after my time at Apple. He seemed to be taken aback and asked me later about the comment. Bottom line: Not only a great computer scientist and effective leader, but a humble and caring fellow, too rare in our tech-focused world. Mike Wirth

Marc Snir

551w ago

I only learned now about the loss of a dear friend and mentor. Ashok was my manager when I joined IBM Research in 1986. He made a strong impression: A brilliant researcher, an extremely courteous person, and a much admired and highly respected manager and leader. I enjoyed doing research with him and enjoyed learning how to manage from him. While he was my senior in age by only a few months, he was my senior in research and management by many years. I do not know whether he was disappointed when I moved away from the theory group he led, but I am very sure he never expressed any reservation. Ashok was a real mensch.

Ronald Barber

568w ago

How I remember Ashok: thoughtful–technically and humanly, a very rare combination in high-tech. He always showed passion and interest in problems and people. I truly appreciated all my times working in his organizations. Ron Barber

Abhay Bhushan

568w ago

I remember Ashok from July 1964, when I met a 16 year old boy who joined IIT Kanpur as a freshman. I was a senior then, and a student guide for the freshmen. Ashok soon captured my attention with his bright eyes and inquisitive mind, asking questions about the new computer center at IITK, the first in an Indian university. He graduated from IITK, top of his class with the President?s ?Gold Medal? I met him again when I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, and he was a senior director at IBM. He continued to amaze me with his insightfulness and brilliance, nothing short of a genius, like his ideas on alternate Turing machines in computational complexity, on organizing knowledge for improved human-computer interactions, and creating many industry breakthroughs. He was a master at building world class teams of researchers and leading them to excellence and scientific breakthroughs. Ashok continued to give back to society, as a mentor for younger people, supporting causes he believed in, and providing joy to his family and friends. His warm captivating smile, his self-effacing humor, and the love he exuded won our hearts. The IIT Kanpur Alumni community will miss one of our brightest and the best. I express my condolences to Ashok?s family on this tragic loss, which is a loss to the entire community, and to US and India. Words cannot express the admiration we felt for Ashok and the deep sorrow we feel at this moment. I am having a difficult time believing that he is no more in flesh and blood with us. May the memories of his life and his shining example brighten our days ahead and fill our hearts with hope. Perhaps in time the following words may provide us with comfort: ” Rather than mourn the absence of the flame Let us celebrate how brightly it burned Let us comfort one another with favorite memories Of sharing times when we were all together Let us celebrate the spirit of one very special life So in our hearts the flame will burn forever.” With deepest sympathies, Abhay Bhushan,

Wendy

568w ago

I supported Ashok as his admin in Computer Science for a few years. Working with Ashok was always an adventure! He pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and recommended me to be an admin manager. Thanks to him, I was able to advance my career in IBM. If he hadn’t pushed me, I would not be where I am today in IBM. I also was going through some personal problems and Ashok let me bring my son into work with me when I had no one to watch him. One time in particular, James was keeping busy making paper airplanes and throwing them around the office. Well one of them flew right into Ashok while he was working at his desk! Ashok just laughed and threw the plane back to James and the game began!!! Ashok made a significant impact on my life – all for the good – and I will be forever grateful to him. God Bless you Wendy Fedde

Robert Morris

568w ago

Many of us learned from Ashok as a leader. I don’t think it was possible to have worked with Ashok without taking away some learnings. He set exceptionally high standards, as he created a very collaborative and coherent research community. Ashok had a good-spirited way of approaching all challenges, was a natural coach and brought out the best in all team members. Above all, he always left everyone encouraged, and was quick to give of himself when help was needed. Great leaders leave behind parts of themselves in the way people learn to solve problems and work with each other. These influences can persist for generations, and perhaps forever. Ashok was one of those leaders and will be missed. Robert Morris, IBM

Bob Chandra

568w ago

Very touching; thanks for sharing

Bob Chandra

568w ago

Thanks for sharing Rajat

Mala

568w ago

Saturday, November 22, 2014 My mentor, Ashok Chandra Last week was a loss for the high tech world, the Indian community in Silicon Valley, the Chandra family, and to several of us who had the chance to work with Ashok Chandra. Ashok passed away after a battle with cancer. Ashok accomplished a lot in his career, but it was his demeanor and leadership that I value most. He valued people and he realized how to get the best out of people. He was my mentor, and he was involved in almost all my career transitions. I would ask his advice every time. When I moved from IBM Watson to IBM Almaden, Ashok was the lab head, and my final interview was with him. When I left IBM, I met with him. When I decided to leave Purple Yogi (Stratify) and return to IBM Research, he (and Prabhakar Raghavan) convinced me to join them at Verity to help form the Emerging Technologies team, where I learned a lot and had a very technically productive 4+ years. He was supportive of my move to Yahoo and into product management. He pulled me in to lead product at the then new Search Labs in Microsoft Silicon Valley. That offer led Google to make a decision (in 2 weeks!) since I had the Microsoft deadline. Years earlier, my first Google offer for an engineering manager role had taken an excruciating 6+ months. I had not consulted with anyone and I had eventually said NO (a mistake? :-)). Had I asked Ashok, would he have encouraged me? The second time, I decided to join Google since I correctly presumed that I?d have to make a lot of trips to Seattle to get anything done. If Ashok was upset, he did not show it – he understood, and supported my decision. Ashok was who I went to for advice when the startup I was doing (Koollage) ran into a thorny situation, and Ashok was the first person I?d called to inform that I was quitting Google to go to Lexity. He was happy that some of the ex-Verity folks were back together again, and was so happy after the acquisition by Yahoo. I sent him an email a couple of weeks back to connect so I could inform him of my upcoming transition from Yahoo, but there was no response. I had to decide on my own. Ashok – we will miss you! We will miss your smile! Posted by Rajat Mukherjee

Kalpana Shyam

568w ago

Peace, my heart, let the time for the parting be sweet. Let it not be a death but completeness. Let love melt into memory and pain into songs. Let the flight through the sky end in the folding of the wings over the nest. Let the last touch of your hands be gentle like the flower of the night. Stand still, O Beautiful End, for a moment, and say your last words in silence. I bow to you and hold up my lamp to light you on your way. By Rabindranath Tagore Sanjay & Kalpana Shyam

Mala

568w ago

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