Barbara Kataisto

From:
Barbara Kataisto

When I met Sameer
06/21/1991
McKinsey

I was so sad to recently hear about Sameer’s passing! First met Sameer at McK around this time through recruiting. He always had a great sense of warmth and caring about him when I knew him at McK. Very sad loss, and deep condolonces to Sameer’s family.

Lee Kempler

When I met Sameer: Feb 1986

Where Sameer and I spent time: McKinsey

What you remember and appreciated most about Sameer: His unwavering sense of right and wrong

Extended thoughts about Sameer. 

The news of Sameer’s passing shocked me into silence. For three weeks, I have thought about him, his life, our experiences together, and the ways our lives came together, moved apart, and occasionally came together again. Twenty five years later, I work in the very same office building where Sameer and I initially worked together. And I have been at a loss for words to explain what Sameer meant to me or how to come to grips with his passing. Today, through a completely random e-mail, I saw the following quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children… to leave the world a better place… to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

This struck me as a pretty good description of our friend Sameer. A success, indeed.

Patricia Nakache

When I met Sameer: 09/15/1987

Where Sameer and I spent time

First we worked together at McKinsey in the New York office as Business Analysts. Then we were classmates at Stanford Business School.
What you remember and appreciated most about Sameer
I remember most his wide, beautiful smile and the way his shoulders would shake when he laughed. I appreciated his thoughtfulness, his love of debate and intellectual honesty, and how he liked to enjoy himself.

Extended thoughts about Sameer. Please write as much as you like.
I have many wonderful memories of Sameer. As Business Analysts in NY, he was the one who would rally us all to go out to dinner after a late night of work (paid for, of course, by McKinsey). He always looked so dapper in his suits and spoke so eloquently; he seemed to be a born consultant. But then at Stanford, he chucked the suits and donned his dark sunglasses, and seemed equally at home in the heart of silicon valley. He was always impressive in the classroom, yet he was also very social and loved a good party.

Between our first and second year, a small group of us went on a study trip to South Africa. Just prior to going to South Africa, three of us joined Sameer in visiting his cousins in Kenya and going on a safari. He and his extended family were wonderful, generous hosts.

I will always remember his smile, his calm and in many ways sophisticated demeanor, and his intellectual curiosity. He was a good friend and I will miss him.

Jack Fuchs, McKinsey & Co. NYC

Josh,

It is a tragic circumstance that leads to my hearing from you after all these years.  Sameer was awesome with my kids, both of whom have hugely fond feelings for him.  I still remember my 11-year-old talking about her “dates with Sameer” when she was 5-7.  She and he sent notes to each other, and had quite a “relationship.”

Warm regards,

Jack