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Rudra Signh

Rudra Signh

Singh, Rudra Prasad
On November 27th, 2015, Rudra Prasad Singh passed away with family at his side after a courageous battle with heart disease and pancreatic cancer. Dad was 75 years young.
Rudra was born as the surviving twin on September 1st, 1940, in the small village of Saraiya, India. The youngest of 5 children, he endeavored to support the family while pursuing an education that ultimately put him on a steamship to Ellis Island, New York, in 1962 and completion of a PhD in Plant Pathology from North Dakota State University by 1966.
He moved to Fredericton, New Brunswick and began a brilliant research career. He made international headlines with the co-discovery that spindle tuber disease in potatoes was caused by a novel infectious agent called viroid. His pioneering work developed sensitive identification techniques that ensured the valuable Maritime potato industry remained disease free. He lectured and taught freely around the world. His passion for science and his love for farmers earned him numerous awards. In 1997, upon receiving the Outstanding Research Award by the Canadian Phytopathological Society, they noted “there are few scientists that have achieved such a remarkable balance between scientific accomplishment and technology transfer”.
Dad was more than a scientist. He made difficult choices and defended what he felt was right. He stayed humble and deeply religious. He enjoyed 60 years of marriage to Manorma Singh and devoted his personal life to family and friends. Through years of service at the Y’s Mens club to funding temples and schools in India and supporting his struggling relatives at home, dad never lost sight that life is a blessing and should be used to its fullest. He taught his children the value of an education while still enjoying the lighter moments in life such as Singh Scrabble tournaments, camping at the lake or capitalizing on the latest technology trend even though he never learned to use a smart phone! His vegetable gardens were the envy of the community and he was quick to share the harvest bounty!
Our dad was demanding yet understanding, stubborn yet supportive, intense yet loving. He instilled in us a powerful work ethics, an inquisitive mind and the desire to serve. He practiced the words of his spiritual teacher Swami Vivekananda - “Religion comes with intense self-sacrifice. Desire nothing for yourself. Do all for others. This is to live and move and have your being with God.” Dad has achieved his journey back to God.
Rudra is survived by his wife, Manorma and his three sons, Narendra, Arvind and Avinash and their families, Mitra, Shailin, Ishaan, Vrushali, Amy, Tia, Karen, Shaani and Kaia. He had been lovingly supported by his nephew, Mathuresh Singh and family, Sandhya, Shubhi and Prachi.
A memorial gathering will be held at McAdam’s Funeral Home, 160 York St, Fredericton, NB, (506) 458-9170, on Sunday November 29th at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please support a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca) or SANSAR (South Asian Network Supporting Awareness and Research – www.sansar.org). Personal condolences can be left at www.mcadamsfh.com.

 

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