Harihara Iyer was born in Tamil Nadu in 1934. His family came from Kanya Kumari, the very southern tip of India. After studying Engineering in Kerala and teaching at IIT Bombay, he came to Edmonton in 1968 to do his PhD at the University of Alberta. He then built a career in the oil industry (Fenco, Gulf) and was excited to design off-shore oil drilling structures and ice-breakers. He presented papers in Sweden, Norway, and Japan. He loved travelling, especially road trips, during which his curiosity made him stop at every single ‘point of interest’ on route – much to the chagrin of his kids. With his strong interest in classical Indian music, he became an executive member of the RagaMala Music Society. Later, after retirement, he became involved in different passions – such as watching old movies, debating politics, and Toastmasters where he also helped mentor new groups.
He will be deeply missed by his wife and companion of over 60 years Kamala, his daughters Vidya (Ross) and Ranjani (Barun), and his granddaughters Kiran and Kalpana. He will be affectionately remembered by his five younger brothers, his wife’s siblings, and his many family members and friends around the world. And he will no doubt be joyously welcomed to his wonderful new home by his parents and his grandson Rahul.
Our heartfelt thanks to his oncologist Dr. Victor Zepeda and the staff of the Tom Baker Cancer Centre who helped him throughout his 7-year battle with multiple myeloma. Sincere thanks to the caregivers who caringly tended to him every day. A special thanks to dear family & friends for their many phone calls, visits, meals, and just lending an ear or a strong shoulder.
————————
Funeral Ceremonies will be held at COUNTRY HILLS CREMATORIUM & FUNERAL SERVICES, 11995 16 Street NE on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 3:00 pm.
In accordance with the city by-law, all those attending in person must provide personal identification as well as either proof of double vaccination, or proof of a privately-paid negative rapid test result taken within 72 hours of service, or documentation of a medical exemption. Those with any flu like symptoms will not be permitted in the funeral home. Masks are also mandatory.
PLEASE NOTE THAT PROOF OF VACCINATION WITH A QR CODE MUST NOW BE PROVIDED.
Those wishing to watch the Funeral Ceremony from the comfort of their home may do so via this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86224053826
Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Harihara’s obituary at https://www.countryhillscrematorium.ca/obituaries/sankara-harikara-iyer/
————————
19 Comments
Hari lived a good, long and productive life.
Hari’s wife (Kamala), daughters (Ranjani and Vidya) and
granddaughters (Kalpana and Kiran) will carry fond memories of him.
As shall we.
Our condolences to the family.
Ross, Guy, Frankie, Scott and Joe Armitage
My deepest condolences to the family for this very difficult loss. Although I did not know Dr. Iyer for very long, I am reminded now of his intelligence, humility, and kindness. Over the last few years I got to know him, he very warmly welcomed me into his home many times. I most enjoyed hearing the stories of his graduate studies and career with Gulf, which he very happily recapitulated when I asked. He worked very hard to provide a wonderful life for his family after moving to Canada from India. I hope he can now rest feeling as proud of himself as I’m sure everyone is of him. He will be dearly missed by family and friends.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear elder brother. We fondly remember our many visits to Calgary and the wonderful times we spent together. Our last visit to Calgary was in 2019 and we were hoping to visit again but couldn’t do it due to Covid. Attached is a photo taken during our 2019 visit.
Although he was ailing for a while, his two wonderful daughters’ care and compassion made his last days in his own home as comfortable as possible.
We will miss him forever.
My heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family.
We are saddened by the demise of Dr. Harihara Iyer. We remember Iyer as a kind and gentle person and had a good sense of humour. He will be missed greatly by his family and friends. Our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to Kamala, Ranjani and Vidhya and family members. Our prayers are with you to have strength and courage to face this tough time.
We are saddened by the demise of Dr. Harihara Iyer. We found Iyer to be a kind and gentle person with good sense of humour. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Our heart felt condolences and sympathies to Kamala, Ranjani, Vidhya and all family members. Our prayers are with you to give you strength and courage to face this hard time.
Our association with Iyer mama ( as we addressed him) for the last 24 years, since we moved to Calgary, has been a memorable one. We will miss the lively discussions we had with him during our visits to his house on various occasions and the topics would range from politics in Tamilnadu to current affairs of the world. We will live with those fond memories for ever. We are attaching a picture taken on his 80th birthday. We pray for his soul to rest in peace.
Our heartfelt condolences to the family.
From Pushpa and Saku Satkunaratnam and family.
As a brother four years younger than you, I remember you as a hard-working, highly motivated goal-oriented person that we wall wanted to follow in your footsteps. I remember you as a budding artist our father took you to the School of Arts in TVM to get additional training but the senior artist wanted you to focus on traditional studies. You were a scholarship student always. Our accomplishments are indirectly influenced by you being our role model . In other words the result of we trying to imitate you. You resembled our father in appearance and in qualities. You accomplished a lot professionally. I was always amazed that you maintained close contact. with India through regular reading of all materials in News Papers and Yutube channels and we could discuss whenever we talked on the phone until the end. I have known you as an ENgineering College student where you excelled all in your studies. You have two wonderful daughters Ranjani and Vidya and granddaughters Kiran and Kalpana. WE admire Kamala, Ranjani, and Vidya who supported you bravely in your difficult times. WE will always remember you and get motivated. You are an example for the whole family . Your legacy will continue for generations.
I know him as my cousin! He was an organized and an intelligent Engineer. When we were living in Calgary, we used to go for trips with him and family to Banff National Park. He was a man of few words and he was a positive person. He was the first person in our family to come to North America.. He was a great Engineer in offshore drilling, now we lost him in the cold winter. May God give enough strength to his family to bear this great loss. We pray to God for his soul to rest in peace.
Our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Kamala Iyer and family.
Iyer uncle, as he was fondly called, was a simple, soft spoken gentleman with a great sense of humor and love for Carnatic music.
He was a great promoter of Carnatic music too. We fondly recall his valuable contribution to the local community events like STA ( Saint Thyagaraja Aradhana), Composers’ Day etc. His contribution by way of posting reviews of such cultural events happening in Calgary, on online editions of Tamil newspapers like Dinamalar etc. ( sample attached) for many consecutive years , stands as a proof for his dedication to promote our rich culture and tradition.
Uncle will surely be missed by the Calgary community , but he will ever remain in our hearts.
Our sincere prayers for his Atma Shanti.
Linda and I were saddened to hear of Iyer’s passing. Iyer and I arrived in Edmonton around the same time and met at the U of A. He tutored me on the theory of SHELLS.
IYER was always an honourable man and his family was his number one priority. We attended his 80th birthday and felt the love within the family. His speech on that day was eloquent and beautifully presented.
We will miss Iyer and will remember all the fine times we had at get togethers.
* Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
My dearest Kamala, Ranjini and Vidya,
You are all in my heart and mind at this difficult time you are going through. I am deeply saddened by the loss that you and your family have encountered.
My condolences on the passing of your beloved husband Kamala, as we dearly call him “Iyer” and your beloved father Ranjini and Vidya.
Let Iyer’s soul “Rest In Peace”
I cherish the roughly 50 years of friendship between the Iyer family and mine and the warmth with which Kamala Aunty and Iyer Uncle always greeted me on my visits to Calgary even after my parents passed away. Glad that Ranjani and Vidya could be there with him during his final days and with their mother to comfort each other in this time of loss. My condolences to the entire family.
Our sincere condolences. May his soul rest in peace
Our heartfelt condolences. Om Shanti 🙏
As a friend of Ranjani’s, I remember sleepovers at the Iyer household when we were kids. There was often a “pizza kit” for us to use for our meal. I was always interested in everything “Mr. Iyer” (as I called him) did. For example, he showed me how to correctly collapse a milk carton so it would take up less room in the recycling bin. He and Mrs. Iyer had their girls in keyboard lessons, and I would delight in the latest progress. I noticed that Ranjani’s wicked sense of humour reflected her Dad’s. Way later, at Mr. Iyer’s 80th Birthday, he announced that “80 was the new 50.” How we laughed!
Ranjani, Barun, Kalpana, Vidya, Kiran, and especially Mrs. Iyer, I know that you will miss this delightful man. May you enjoy so many good memories that you laugh as you cry.
Chris, Stephanie, Rachel and Caleb Gabriel, of Calgary.
Deepest condolences to Aunty Kamala, Ranjani, Vidya and family. May all your cherished memories bring you peace and comfort.
I stayed with Dr Sankara Iyer and Kamala Iyer in Calgary for a few days. I had to attend green card interview at the US Consulate. It was the time of Winter Olympics in 1988. They were warm hosts. Something/ Swami’s flash told me to check up on Dr Iyer. Oh my gosh, I found out that he had just passed away. My heartfelt condolences to the family.