Kumar... ambassador for peace and love

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS AND LOVE FOR KUMAR THROUGH OUR GUESTBOOK

I don't know what to say...I feel fortunate and sad to be sending this photo of my dear friend. The sadness is tempered with the knowledge that Kumar lived every day to its fullest and that his memory will help me and many others emulate his passion for life and experience. Thank you for providing this place to share our memories of a wonderful human being.

Kumar, the times we spent together are the most precious memories I have.
You are a special individual, and I still can't believe that our next adventure will have to wait a wee bit longer than planned. Thanks to you, the lives of countless people, including my own, have been enriched and bettered; you are sorely missed (but never forgotten) here in Miyazaki and all round the world.

Mate, your enthusiasm, determination, beliefs and true love for life set me an example to follow. I owe you one.

Thanks a lot.u teach me a lot of thing how to enjoy my life. u passed
here, but u live our heart forever. u forget a lot of things this world.
everytime goodswels date,climbing wall,syoutyu(japanese sake),i could
remind u.u r my hope and respect. love u

Our deepest love and prayers go out to the family and friends of a wonderful, loving person who has shared a lot of love and joy with the world. his life is a testament to a better way to live, and I know that all that see his life will be inspired to achieve the peace he fought hard for.

with our heartfelt love and respect,
Carl & Chamisa Blackmon email: chamisa@bellsouth.net

The news I heard today has left me devastated. I want you to know you left an indelible positive influence on my life – and always inspired me to take things to the next level. The best memories of my life were spent in Japan, with you in the picture. You were always brave, sincere, smart and totally grateful. In my travels, I have many times told the legend of this amazing guy from Santa Cruz named Kumar.

I feel a tremendous sense of loss for your hundreds of friends, your family and for the world. It’s not going to be the same planet without you! You really showed us all so much about the meaning of life and how to live it – and we will never forget. Thanks for being such a fantastic friend and teacher.

Internet, since I'd heard that after parting ways at Analy High School you eventually found your way to Japan. Now that I've finally found your blog, I see that you too have traveled the world. Your spirit is always free to visit me in Seoul.

Kumar, I met you when you were just entering your teen years. You were the same age as one of my sons. I was struck by your peaceful nature and a loving spirit not often seen in young boys.
My heart breaks at the loss of your physical life and the irony of how hatred and fear took you from your family and friends. I ache at the loss they have suffered. No doubt your mom, Ischi, and siblings Joyti and Chinmaya will find comfort in knowing you lived your life to the very fullest and touched so many others with your beautiful presence.
I will remember the young boy full of hope, and having read your communications and emails from friends, I rejoice in the man you became. You fulfilled the promise I saw in you. I believe your spirit will continue to soar and your soul will be with us always.
Your life has inspired me to remember to live from my heart and to serve the world with love.
Namaste, dear Kumar. The earth's rhythms will always beat for you! Soar high and live on in peace!

Wow - I don't think we'd seen eachother in 9 or 10 years, maybe even high school graduation - but I know that you are doin your thang in a better place now! I'll never forget the B-ball runs as B.H. Warriors and pick up ball at Hill Crest (I still say your "cross-over" is a "carry"!)- the switch to Analy blue was even better - you kept it rollin' with soccer and me with football and together we kept it flowin at the after partys! Reading your blog and seein your pics shows me that you continued to keep that smile and lifestyle true to your heart and shared it freely with all who came in contact with you! One Luv!

My friend, the news I heard today broke my heart into a million pieces. Though I haven't seen you in many years, the impact of hearing about your passing has hit as though I just saw you yesterday; a true testament to the joy you brought to everyone's life. I sit here thinking of "Little Shop of Horrors" our senior year of high school and I just want you to know you will always be my favorite semi-sadist. I love you. You will be missed.

I am so broken-hearted that the beautiful, smiling, bright and sweet Kumar--drummer extraordinaire...golden-haired, always playful child filled with light, joy, and sensitivity toward others...who grew so gracefully into the full strength of richly principled manhood--has left us so quickly. Chinmaya and Jyoti, I am so intensely sad you have lost your beloved brother...you three were always such an adorable trio.Ilse, the words don't exist to soothe your pain...I wish you serenity with the memories of holding and falling in love with your newborn, Kumar. You always showed him the path of love and peace as you raised him and you purely loved him with each breath in every moment of his life for the amazingly graceful and beautiful Soul He IS. The Shabda Current will lovingly carry His Soul Home. All my love and healing condolences to you three, every other member of your family, and Kumar's grieving world of friends,

I heard the sad news today that Kumar is no longer with us. I haven't seen Kumar in many years, however, I still think of him fondly and have often wondered what became of him. Kumar was one of my closest friends growing up and I am truly saddened to hear the news of his passing.

I love you Kumar and I hope you are at peace. You will be missed by everyone who ever had the joy of knowing you.

We just wanted to send you our love during this very difficult time...let us hope a seed has been planted as a result of this event which will bring new understanding and peace to some of those Kumar was trying to reach...
We are friends of Hamsa and Moshe's and family and know from personal experience how numbing and yet painful this can be...our prayers are with all of you.

Karyn Zaremba and Herb Culver, Bean Mtn Farms, Deer, Arkansas email: beanmtn@ritternet.com

Kumar, thanks for your huge love and I love you so much.
Since we've known each other on the 43rd cruise of Peace Boat, you've got important to my life.
I never heard the word `I cannot do it" from your self. Your soul speaks to me `What are you waiting for? Just do it! Be hungry! Feel your passion and love inside. One love, One peace"

Kumar you were always shining and really bright.
You said to me ` I'll keep shining my light to the world"
Now I see your light, feel your soul. You are always in my heart...
I'll live life to the full with your spirit.

ich konnte es kaum glauben als ich die Neuigkeiten gehoert habe. Ich kann mich
immer noch erinnern, als wir letzte Reise ein paar mal ueber den Worldcup in
Deutschland gesprochen hatten und dass Du gerne zu Besuch kommen wuerdest.
Es ist mir unwahrscheinlich zu verstehen was passiert ist. Aber egal, ich werde Dich
nie vergessen und es war schoen Dich kennengelernt zu haben. Ruhe in Frieden!!

To our dear Kumar and Ischi, Chinmaya and Jyoti
Thank you Kumar for being such a beacon of light and hope and love and laughter in my world.You rocked!!! (even at 3 years old!) Thank God or whatever higher power guided your life. Your life touched so many, brought so much joy and set an example for us all of compassion, acceptance and loving kindness.

I love you and your family and share their sorrow at your passing. We will miss you at every family event and holiday and we will remember you with joy and laughter every day. You are in my prayers and your spirit is deep in my heart. I love you Kumar.

2500 year old Meditation of loving kindness that we can all say to spread the love:
May you (we all) be filled with loving kindness. May you (we all) be well. May you (we all) be peaceful and at ease. May you (we all) be happy.

Your time came way too early. May you rest in peace and may your light stay shining in our hearts forever.
All my love,
"Auntie" Linda Sawtelle email: linsawt@yahoo.com

I would like to offer my most sincere condolences for the loss of your son, your brother, and everyone's friend, Kumar. I heard the news only an hour ago and thought it necessary that I immediately sit down to write this letter. Quite simply, never in my life have I known an individual who combined passion, talent, and strength of character so seamlessly as did Kumar. I taught English with him aboard the Peace Boat's 43rd voyage—it was our first time aboard the ship. On a daily basis, I was impressed by Kumar's natural ability to engage the other passengers, teachers, and crew aboard our vessel. Whether in the classroom or sitting at the rooftop bar, his carefree attitude and humor were magnetic; people were drawn to Kumar. He taught me a great lesson about living life to the fullest, something that seems ever more important with his passing. Kumar, you are missed, friend.

I will miss kumar's humor, strength, friendship, wisdom, kindness, love, passion, lust for life...i could go on for days.

Kumar, my fingers are paining just to write something. We met just days before you left for Kenya and I was so looking forward to being almost neighbours in Tokyo again. You are always in my thoughts as well as everyone else who knew you. Just reading the comments left here show how special you are. A man of peace, who's life was taken away by the world you were trying to protect. God bless you my friend. A lot of the old crew will be gathering in Miyazaki in April for a send off. We will spend the day outside in the water thinking of you and drink the night away in your memory. I just can't believe it.

Kumar, I had no idea that you were in Japan. I went back
to live in Japan for 5 years and I just came back to the
States. Maybe we ran into each other in Tokyo.

I heard the news from Farren West and Max Watson let us
know of your web site. All the guys from Analy still care
about you and sad that you are gone, and we all have a
special place in our heart.

After coming back to the States, I had some visions of you.
We were playing basketball during lunch break at Brookhaven.
You were shooting hoops and no matter how much I tried to
stop you, I couldn't. You were damn good! I wondered how you
were doing, but had no idea what was to come.

Rest in peace, Kumar. Maybe we'll play basketball again when
I catch up with you. I'll try to kick your ass next time!

Aki Mori email: minmey15@aol.com

All of us on the current Peace Boat voyage would like to offer Ischi, Jyoti, Chinmaya and all of Kumar's family our love, thought and prayers. Like everyone we were shocked by the news of Kumar's passing and have felt helpless being out of contact with all his friends, family and collegues. We are busy gathering messages and photos of Kumar on his Peace Boat voyages and will send them to you as soon as possible. Kumar and I were room mates on the 43rd voyage of PB and since then we both moved into coordinator positions in the organization. Kumar truly was a beautiful person- someone with a spirit to move and to change, not just himself but also the world around him. He put his passion and energy into everything- his work, his relationships and his recreation. Although I will miss him dearly I am comforted to know that when I last saw him before Christmas he was so 'totally stoked' after finishing his 4th PB voyage- I know this positive energy continued until and will continue beyond his passing.

Many days have passed since we have spoken, but you will be missed my friend. I will always remember playing basketball with you and your bro Chinmaya at Brookhaven. I remember you always smiling and laughing. Back in junior high you showed me a bag of concrete brought back from the falling of the wall, I was amazed of your travels then. Cheers to you for making an impact and seeing the world!! Best of luck in your next journey....

ich konnte es kaum glauben, als ich die schreckliche Nachricht von unserer Omi gehört habe. Ich kann mich noch so gut an deinen Besuch bei uns in Heilbronn erinnern.
Wir waren zusammen mit Pippo, Ananda und Graziella im Barfüsser und haben selbst gebrautes deutsches Bier getrunken und wir alle hatten soooo viel Spaß.
Ich werde Dich immer als einen liebevollen und witzigen Cousin in Erinnerung behalten und werde dich nie vergessen!!!!!!!!!!!!

My condolences to you and your family. I loved, love Kumar and his loss is greatly missed. I'm so sorry. We will never forget Kumar. Dear Kumar, family, everyone. Where do I start? I said goodbye to you at Emilie’s party for her NGO, Mujeres. I said to you, if I don’t see you again before you go to Kenya, have a wonderful time, I know you will and we hugged. And I know you did. I know that you died living life to the max, in pursuit of your dreams and following your passion. I never told you how important you were and will always continue to be. You are the reason why I had the best experience of my life on the PeaceBoat.You are the reason and example I will follow in absorbing everything life has to offer with a zest and lust. I had a smoothie this morning. I had one the other day. I saw your face beaming away, raving about how great they are. And they are. And so was the warm breeze that blew my hair in the wind this morning. And so was the rain that fell on my face this afternoon. I am now beginning to grasp how precious this life we have is and how easily and so suddenly it can end. I must learn from you to appreciate everything this world has to offer and embrace every experience with the beautiful curiosity of and enthusiasm of a child. I climbed a mountain yesterday. I thought of you. Each step I took, I thought of you. The climb was so difficult and I wanted to say I can’t do it but you taught me that I can do anything. I just have to believe in myself. Life is so mysterious and I don’t know why it had to take you away so soon but I like to think of your spirit on the waves of the ocean beating on your drum, surfing the waves... Oh my, I just got a bit overwhelmed there and stopped. I want to say how much I love you Kumar. Thank you. I will never forget you. I had a dream the first night I found out. That we, the GET 51st team were all on the boat again, having a meeting on GET Street to solve a problem. We were all there to support each other. When I get on the boat again, I know you will be there in spirit, and I will always feel your warmth guidance and lust for life as the boat sails around the world. I had another dream two days later. That I was looking for something in Peters house. Something impossible to find. With so many obstacles and obstructions. The area was like a labyrinth and I couldn’t get to the destination. I was confronted by a very large dog, perhaps a pitbulll, or Doberman, who was tied on a leash and within inches of attacking me. I don’t know what this all means but I do know that you are on my mind all the time. I wish I could have told you how much you meant to me. Thank you Kumar. For everything you taught me. Love mangos. Love music. Love freedom. Love smoothies. Love Peru.Love the world. Love Reggae. Love music. Love fresh coffee. Love each other. Love peace. Love love. Love life. Thank you.Thank you. Thank you. May you rest in Peace.

I wanted to write to say how deeply I've been affected by hearing the news of Kumar's passing. Though I hadn't seen Kumar in years, I remember so vividly acting together as brothers Stanley and Eugene in Brighton beach memoirs. I always experienced Kumar as light in the wind, as walking with such joy and trust through the world. He always came in peace. I'm so sorry for your and the world's loss and I send you all love. You will be in my prayers - as will Kumar - in these days to come.

I am so sorry to hear about Kumar. I hope that you are well and wish you strength and blessings in this time of loss and heartbreak. I knew Kumar from when were on the JET programme in Miyazaki, Japan. Kumar had a wonderful energy about him and so much enthusiasm for life. He was a person who lived every day to the fullest and that will always be really inspiring for me.

I am a friend of Kumar's, we worked together on the Peace Boat for the 47th cruise. I wanted to send you other pictures I have of him and us together as a group but I am having some technical trouble. I will be posting words on the website but I just wanted to extend my condolonces with you, his passing has wounded me deeply too but I think that this website really is a fantastic idea. I hope that it grows and grows because he was loved by many peeople.

I heard this sad news from a mutual friend in Japan. I then subsequently visited kumarlewis.com. May I convey my most sincere condolences to you and your family. Kumar was a really wonderful guy who treated everybody really nicely. It was a real shock to hear the news.

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