People
Sardar Hari Singh Everest [1916 - 2011]
Yuba City Pioneer
by LETICIA GUTIERREZ
The Yuba-Sutter Sikh community lost a major leader with the death of Hari Singh Everest, a man well known and long respected by generations of local residents.
Sardar Hari Singh, 95, of Yuba City, California, U.S.A., died last Thursday (August 18, 2011) at his residence having served as a spokesman for the local Sikh community in person and in print, for much of his life.
"He was a lasting example of an American dream come true," said friend Dr. Jasbir Singh Kang of Yuba City. "He was a role model, very progressive in reaching out to others," and living a very honest, humble life.
"He was very open minded. He said you could be whosoever you are; you don't have to give up everything you do. It's just give and take."
Born in a small village in West Punjab, now in Pakistan, and moving to California in 1955, Hari Singh was very involved in the community: he taught in the Yuba City Unified School District for 20 years, retiring from Tierra Buena Elementary School in 1981, and was instrumental in creating the Gurdwara in Tierra Buena, the first of its kind in the area.
Previously, followers had to travel to Stockton for services.
Over the years he wrote letters to the editor - to the Appeal-Democrat, the Sacramento Bee and national magazines - and found himself interviewed by the Smithsonian Magazine, the Punjabi-American Heritage Society and college students doing research about the Sikh religion.
He added the unusual name "Everest" as a pen name while in his 20s living in Lahore, Punjab, and writing articles for a publication and poetry.
"He said more people would look at his writing," his daughter Manjit Kaur, of Yuba City said.
His family once asked him about writing a book, but, "He said, 'my job is done, others can write a book,'" said his son Dr. Paramjit Singh Everest of Yuba City. He didn't want to write about himself, but thought of himself as "just an ambassador [of the community]," his son added.
When Hari Singh arrived in California as a student at Stanford University, he found himself as a spokesman for the Sikh community, talking about his religion at various churches.
While there were others from the sub-continent on campus, said his son, Hari Singh was the only one wearing a turban.
In the Yuba-Sutter community, he continued as a spokesman about the Sikh religion and culture by conducting tours of the gurdwara and talking before civic groups and various churches.
"He was a legacy to the (Yuba-Sutter) community," said friend Amarjit Singh Aujla of Yuba City.
The two first met in 1970 as members of the gurdwara in Tierra Buena and later worked together as teachers at Tierra Buena school for six months before Hari Singh retired.
"He was like a mentor to me. He did not impose anything to you, but the way he would talk to you, you would get inspired. He was kind of an inspiration for me, especially in my faith."
He overcame a lot in his life when he moved to the United States, but didn't talk about it, said grandson Harpreet Singh Everest, a Yuba City resident and student at the University of Southern California.
"He always wanted us to be inquisitive," he added. "He gave me inspiration."
Hari Singh Everest led a very simple life, his family said - he walked 3 miles each day, enjoyed his garden, was not into television and gadgets and never drove a car.
"In that simplicity," his grandson said, "he found more value in life."
SERVICE
Prayers start at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 27, 2011, at Ullrey Memorial Chapel, 817 Almond St., Yuba City, California. Langar and sehaj path bhog follow at 2 p.m. at Tierra Buena Sikh Temple Gurdwara, 2468 Tierra Buena Road.
[Courtesy: Appeal Democrat]
August 24, 2011
Conversation about this article
1: Kulvinder Singh (Roseville, California, U.S.A.), August 24, 2011, 3:15 PM.
Pitaji did ask us as young Sikhs to go out into the world, make ourselves a part of it. I first met him in 1987, and he was very encouraging - go to college and get educated, which I did. Upon his guidance, and that of others in the Yuba-Sutter area, I decided after law school to open up an office in Marysville and become the first visible Sikh in the area practicing law. Enough about me. Pitaji was involved in everything, be it the school board, the city council, the PTA, etc. And even if he did not drive a car, he knew all the people and in fact they knew of him, all the movers and shakers in the whole of California. His name and reputation lives on. My condolences to the family, and to the community that he has left behind so much the richer. We will remember him as we do Dave Teja, another pioneer.
2: Harbans Lal & Amrita Lal (Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.), August 24, 2011, 5:58 PM.
I recall the long and fruitful association of Sardar Hari Singh with the All India Sikh Students' Federation. He was an activist with the school and college students in India and he continued the same in U.S.A. He harbored a deep yearning to activate a student organization similar to the AISSF in North America. Talking to him always inspired me to do more. He had been representing the Sikh Review magazine since his arrival in California. In the early days, he also wrote for the magazine.
3: I. J. Singh (New York, U.S.A.), August 25, 2011, 2:48 PM.
Hari Singh Everest was a true pioneer and a wonderfully dedicated Sikh. We had corresponded in the early 1960's but I met him only two years ago when his son Dr. Paramjit Singh Everest arranged for me to visit Yuba City. By then, the flesh was weak but the mind was ever active. He lived a full life and I have to add, with some envy, that he chose his last name well to carry a message.
4: Robert Wallace (Yuba City, California, U.S.A.), August 31, 2011, 2:26 PM.
I was a student of 'Mr. Everest' at Tierra Buena Elementary School in 1966. I have never forgotten him and even though our paths haven't crossed in decades, I can still remember that smile and those flashing eyes. He was a great teacher for us kids and I would like to express my condolences to his family. I am happy to hear that our 'Mr. Everest' lived to such a ripe old age, and even though I am not not a member of the Sikh Community, he was a mentor in my childhood, and I will miss him. My best wishes to the family.
5: Harbans Singh (Boston, PA, U.S.A.), September 12, 2011, 9:50 PM.
Hari Singh Everest, son of Jagat Singh and Harnam Kaur, was born in 1916 at Chak No. 36B District Lyallpur (now in Pakistan). It was a 'Lambardar's family. Ours was a joint family and out of nine cousins, Hari Singh was the eldest, and I the youngest. Out of respect, we called him Bhai - (elder brother). During the Partition of Punjab and India in 1947, our family was forced to migrate to India and settled in village Khawaspura near Ropar in Punjab. Ours had been a family of average farmers who did not have high education in those days but Hari Singh proved to be a self-made man inspite of those conditions. He was intelligent and impressive in his school days and had his name inscribed on his school's Roll of Honors board. So he became a source of inspiration for all of us, especially to me, as I had lost my parents during Partition. In the absence of my father, my Uncle Jagat Singh, father of Bai Hari Singh, looked after me. Bhai Hari Singh guided me in my college life. After his departure from India (for U.S.A.) in 1955, we remained in touch through correspondence. Being the eldest in the family, he was a father figure, a jewel and a symbol of inspiration to me and anyone who came in his contact. I remember while Hari Singh was working as a gazetted officer in the Department of Food and Supplies of Punjab Government, one of his bosses used to say that in terms of honesty and integrity, he would not praise his own son, but preferred Hari Singh. I am proud to say that by his simplicity, self discipline, hard work, sincerity and, above all, being an Ambassador of our Sikh faith, he did our family proud. Actions speak louder than words. Hari Singh has left his immortal actions among us and for them he will be remembered forever. While leaving this world at the ripe age of 95, he has left his son Dr. Paramjit Singh, daughter Manjeet Kaur and grandchildren. May his soul rest in peace! My heart is full of sorrow, grief and praise and these words fall short in expressing them.