Brad Goodchild, Boy Scouts, High School

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Sameer is part of one of my favorite families in the whole world, the Shah Family. Sameer will be greatly missed as he was greatly loved.

Those of us from Satellite Beach are well aware of how open the Shah home has always been to us. Not just the legendary high school parties, but open every day to Sameer’s and Shalin’s friends. Sameer was the older brother to my best friend Shalin. He was the older, wiser(sorry Shalin), and more mature big brother. Of course he made fun of us younger “scouts” and kids, with that classic Sameer sense of humor, which comes from Mr. Shah.

I miss, as an adult, my times in their kitchen with Mrs. Shah trying to get me to eat Indian (read spicey hot) snacks and meals. Sameer always in the back ground pouncing on our rhetoric with his wit. To that point in my life I had not known anyone that dressed as well as Sameer. Whenever I see someone wearing Kaki pressed pants, striped shirt and a sweater hung over his shoulders, I think of Sameer. I remember a few years after the “Members Only” era, of him poking fun my way as I was severely tardy for that trend.

And how smart and clever was Sameer. On a trip to India and Nepal in 1985, Sameer argued with a Casino/travel department over the value of “one time play” chips. So here is Sameer, 20 years old logically winning a dispute against 3 suits twice his age. While they didn’t give us additional chips, they certainly lost their moral highground.

I will miss his laugh and wit the most as it reminds me of good times with him and his family. I am thankful for his friendship and am a better person for his playfully sarcastic but effective input on my life.

Shilpa Shah, Family

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Alas I didn’t know Sameer too well,
So a long drawn tale I cannot tell,
But there may a be a few anecdotes rather swell,
I’ll say to thee as I bid him farewell.

I met him about 10 years ago,
My husband’s handsome cousin bro,
Quirky man never on the go,
Enjoying life at a pace rather slow.

He ate his meals so slowly I thought,
He talked so softly but not a lot,
His apparel was pristine, so carefully wrought,
His mind was sharp with many a plot.

His freshness I thought was like the breeze,
That ruffles leaves of sturdy trees,
His naughty smile did many hearts please,
May his blessed soul get eternal peace

Roger Maughn

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Extended thoughts about Sameer. Please write as much as you like.

I knew Sameer through his brother Shalin, whom I have been a friend with since elementary school. At school age, being two years younger (the age difference between Sameer and Shalin) can be huge. This never was an issue with Sameer. From elementary school, all the way through entering the business world, he always treated any of Shalin’s friends as one of his friends. As a senior in high school, he was always able to get Shalin’s sophomore friends invites to the big parties. Sameer went away to one of the top colleges, but when he came home on breaks, he would never think he was better than anyone else, even though we all knew he was. When he landed his first job in NYC, he was very helpful in giving advice for us guys getting ready to graduate from college. But most of all, I remember Sameer being his usual class act as the Best Man at Shalin’s wedding. He was Shalin’s blood big brother, but he was like a big brother to me, and Shalin’s other friends. How wonderful this world would be if we could have more people like Sameer. I am very lucky to have known him.

Jana Susan “J.S.” Paley

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When I met Sameer
9/1/1982

Where Sameer and I spent time
Amherst College…we got particularly close Sr. Year having taken many Econ classes and the class every Liberal Arts Student fears, Accounting, together. We also had a great time together Senior Week as a guest of my roommate, Liz Shoemaker, at her home in Newport…we crossed paths later in life as well and I am so happy he was at our 25th reunion with his family.

What you remember and appreciated most about Sameer
There were not too many Florida kids in our Amherst Class and that gave the two of us common ground from the start. But it was not til Senior Year that I really got to know the guy behind the grin…At school, kids knew how fun loving and smart Sameer could be, but a smaller group knew him as someone who could debate almost any issue of current events or politics from any viewpoint at the spur of the moment. Sameer also had a creative side–debating teachers left and right challenging whether ir not the theories they held to really had merit. Honest truth, I figured Sameer would be our first classmate to be a Presidential advisor! He certainly had one of the great financial policy and business minds of a generation–to wit his resume will attest.

But he also knew how to leave that side go and to enjoy…he never would leave a friend in a scowl post a friendly debate where he probably knew better, but rather would say, “Let’s get food.”

I am so glad to have met his family at our Amherst reunion—it is now for old friends to tell bits and pieces of Sameer’s life to his children so they mmay grow up to be an extension of his ambition and his love.

My prayers are with the family…
Jana Susan Paley
PS I attached some photos of Sameer, Mike kaufman, John Brinitzer, and Liz Shoemaker from our Senior Week Adventure in Newport and a Photo–since our class is a bit ageless, I am not sure which reunion it was from.

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Laura Steuer – Amherst class secretary

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Dear Sameer’s family,

I am the current class secretary for Sameer’s Amherst class of ’86, and wanted you to know that there has been much memory and reflection about Sameer on our class email listserv; as classmates learn about the Amherst online memory page for Sameer, they will begin to direct their postings there so you can share in them as well. Know that we are all thinking of you at this unbelievable time.

– Laura Folkman Steuer, Amherst ’86

Edwina Litwin Hoffman, Family Friend

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Dear Mr. and Mrs. Shah and members of the Shah family,

The loss of a beloved son is such a searing, wrenching experience that it leaves one
wondering as to the justice in God’s order. Comfort is gleaned from
the waves of love emanating from those who cared for Sameer. It is
clear from the messages pouring in from around the world that Sameer
sowed great love wherever he went. There are no words to ameliorate
your pain. An extraordinary son, father and human being has left us,
but the love he shared with all of us will always be remembered. I am
grateful to Sameer and the Shah family for the friendship and kindness
shared with Josh and the Litwin family. Know that we are with you in
your pain.

My condolences,
Edwina Litwin Hoffman

Billy Warren, Satellite High School

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What you remember and appreciated most about Sameer

Although I probably haven’t seen Sameer in at least 20 years, I look at picture in my office every day that he is in. This photo represents a time in my life when my friends meant the world to me. Sameer was one of those friends.

Most likely one of the smartest people that I have, or will ever meet in my entire life, but also enjoyed every minute of life when I knew him. From what I hear, that never changed much as his life went on. He will be missed by many.

billywarren

Sameer, Billy Warren, Josh Litwin, Ken Sandlin and Scott Sottile, at Scott's house in Indialantic FL

 

Ninad Shah, Family Member, India

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Sameer was my oldest brother in the family , obviously being the oldest and smartest made me idolize him from a very young age, however I never really got down to telling him the same, which I repent today.

I always envied and aspired to travel the world like him and I still pursue that dream, it was inculcated in me probably passively by him during is multiple visits to India as a boy and then a adult. Today being an adult myself and I can easily say he traveled the length and breadth of India in local buses, trains, taxis, he could have easily taken flights but he insisted on doing so cause it gave him a sense of belief, I admired this about him and always will.

He relished life and all that it had to offer, i still remember like it was yesterday how Sameer would sit for breakfast with us on a table reading his novels and only finish his breakfast at lunch time,our domestic help still remembers him for it. He ensured he chewed and savored every morsel of food he ate, I guess that explained the glow on his face throughout.

His commitment to take up unusual tasks and pursue them were legendary, he compiled a family tree of 4 generations for us around a decade ago when computers where still not freely available, and collecting data of over 600 people isn’t easy even today. My son and grandchildren and generations to come have Sameer to thank for this invaluable contribution.

But what made Sameer , Sameer was his naughty and lively knack of picking up the most routine statements or topics and glorifying them into a full blown public debate between family and friends, many a times people would wonder why they were fighting over such trivial things and then would look at Sameer who would be enjoying the entire drama from a distance with a mischievous smile like a amused playwright enjoying his final act.

There are tons of other fond memories I have of Sameer, maybe someday I can share them with my niece and nephew.

Vipul Shah, Family member, India

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Where Sameer and I spent time: During his last day of the last trip to India.

What you remember and appreciated most about Sameer

He was a role model in my life and a great aspiration. Can still not get over the fact that he has left us..I’m sure only physically but never from our heart and mind..

Extended thoughts about Sameer. Please write as much as you like.

He was always a role model for me from the child hood. Always hearing about his excellence in whatever he pursued, great personality. He was just one year elder to me.

We spent his last day in Mumbai during his last trip to India together. It was a Sunday and we met over lunch. I asked him where and what would he like to eat and without any hesitation or pause came the suggestion Sizzlers @ Kobe! One of his favourite eating places in Mumbai. Both of us had different Agenda’s for that afternoon and we were supposed to split after finishing lunch. It was almighty’s kindness that made both of us change our minds and we landed up spending the entire day together. The fondest memories I have of him is all the quality time we spent on this day eating, shopping, having coffee and finally seeing him off at the Mumbai airport late in the evening..

We had never spent more than 2-3 hours at a stretch any time because I lived in the suburbs and he would be staying in down town with our other family members whenever he visited Mumbai.

From the time my mother left us in 1999 and now Sameer, I have always wondered why the almighty takes away those people in such an untimely manner whom he has selected when they were alive to become the driving and helping force in the lives of all the friends, family, relatives and everyone, and create a vacuum in our lives?

Sameer shall always be with us in our hearts.. He is very much here.

Glenn Wilcox, family friends

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When I met Sameer:    07/15/1975

Where Sameer and I spent time:

In the mid 1970’s, Sameer’s family and our family shared many happy times in Melbourne, Florida, where his father and I worked together. Picnics, pool parties, etc. brought many Harris families together and formed bonds that last to this day.

What you remember and appreciated most about Sameer

In 1980, Sameer, his parents and brother came to California, where the eight of us set out on a two family adventure in a single passenger van with no air conditioning. We toured the highlights of Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and California. Sameer most often rode shotgun, and was the “navigator” of the trip. He became especially enamored of the Moqui Caves, and insisted that we include them on our itinerary. Sameer also got a big kick out of my playing tricks on a drive-in restaurant, driving through over and over again.

From Glen Wilcox

Extended thoughts about Sameer. Please write as much as you like.

Sameer was a prince. He was bright and funny and got along famously with everyone on our Cowboys & Indians Tour. Fortunately I was able to see Sameer last year, 2010, after many years apart. Seeing him brought back all those wonderful memories of the times our families spent together. Both of our daughters were devastated by the news of his demise. Lisa began storming heaven with prayers, and Leslie said she had no words, only tears, for the family. We were blessed to have known Sameer and his family. We know all of his good qualities will be reflected in his children, and we want them to know he was loved by us.

Glen, Sally, Lisa, and Leslie Wilcox

Oak Park, California

Patti Bugenske Knapp, Satellite HS

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When I met Sameer

08/05/1980

What you remember and appreciated most about Sameer

One of the most kind , funniest, smartest men I have had the pleasure to know. Journalism and speech classes would not have been the same without him. My condolences to his family.

Jack Fuchs, McKinsey & Co. NYC

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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

Cynthia Wensinger, Satellite HS

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When I met Sameer

06/01/1979

Where Sameer and I spent time 

I am not sure if Sameer was at DeLaura or not. We had many classes together at Satellite and he was in Brain Bowl with me. To the outside world we may have looked like the geeks, but Sameer was always cool, competitive and sharply funny. A great intellect with a super sense of humor. He, Minna Rauhala, our friend Henry Willmore…we were always competing for grades. None of us thought we were different. I was very lucky to reconnect and see your Dad last year, still the same sharp , witty charming friend. I was very Lucky to have know him and God is lucky to have such a smart guy to help him.

Scott Nicholas Amendolare, Satellite HS student gov’t

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Dear Shah Children,

Although a grade behind me, his open smile, generosity of spirit and kindness left an indelible impression on those who had the privilege to know him. Because of your family heritage, he made Student Gov’t and Civic class very informative at a time when foreign relations in the US was rather heated. Yet, with tremendous understanding he explained the politics of the situation with the utmost of respect and humor. He was very brave person, who killed us with his kindness. And for the record, he was a world class debater and one heck of an extemporaneous speaker.

This is what I remember about your father.

All the best,

SNA

Josh Litwin, Boy Scouts, Jr. High, High School, NYC, Stanford

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This photo that Maria Makowski Franco provided sums it all up for me.

Her caption was also perfect (just above the photo below).  Sameer laughed pretty hard at his own stories! Which made me laugh even harder.  He had a simple, pure joy when he laughed.  Added to my love of him, since I knew how insanely smart and capable he was.

Not many people know this, but Sameer and I had competing (illicit) bubble gum businesses in Junior High.  We each bought packs of gum before school, and sold them at a mark-up during the day.  It was head-to-head, we each had a set of other students helping with distribution and security (we weren’t the strongest guys, and lots of big kids knew we had gum).  Without knowing it, we both wrote about the experience when we each applied to Stanford Business School.  And we both got in!

Sameer’s passing has hit me really hard.  I more or less followed right behind him, through Boy Scouts, Hoover, Satellite and beyond.  He had a huge effect on my direction.  He provided me an example without which I know I could not have achieved what this life has given me.

Sameer was one year older than me.  He became a patrol leader in our Boy Scout troop, so did I.  He became an Eagle Scout, so did I.  He was in Student Govt, then president of the junior high, me too.  Similar story in High School.  Student gov’t, Brain Bowl captain, me too, right after him.  He graduated college, became a management consultant, described it to me my senior year (I had no idea what it was), then that’s exactly what I did as my first job.  When I didn’t know what to do after a few years of consulting, he told me about going to Stanford Business School.  Guess what, that’s what I did too, two years after him.

He and I stayed in touch through the years.  When I was an aid worker in Indonesia 20 years ago, he flew all the way there to visit, literally half-way around the world.  He came out to San Fran for my wedding seven years ago, and had been out here several times since.  I visited his parents about 18 months ago, to introduce my children to them, and to see Surekha, and meet their beautiful children.  Mr. and Mrs. Shah are really a treasured uncle and aunt to me, they are family as far as I’m concerned.

The guy had a huge effect on my life, and his departure has left a huge hole in it.  I’m so sad for the Shah family, especially Surekha and the children.  I have seen the strength of the Shah family up close through the years, and hope their cohesiveness will give them comfort in this terrible time.  Like all of you, I will miss him so very very much.

Sameer, cracking himself up over the retelling of the Shah-Wallace proposal to Mrs. Kansas at SHS (Squid Lips, Dec 2009)  {Brother Shalin in background}

makowski_shahwallace

 

Thoughts left on Sat Scorps in Heaven group as of now

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  • Lori Ferris Hillenbrand Thanks for sharing. What a shame. The Shah family has many friends.20 hours ago · Like

  • Lisa Guill Maxson How terrible! This is just so sad. I remember Sameer Shah as the smartest and nicest guy in our class. I will be praying for his family.

  • Thanks, Jimmy McGowan, for posting this.20 hours ago · Like

  • Sandi OnthegoAds Lori you are right the Shah family has many friends, a great loss.20 hours ago · Like

  • William Guzak I am so sorry to hear this. Sameer and I just started reconnecting via facebook. I knew him since Ocean Breeze Elementary. Yes, Lisa, he was the smartest and nicest in our class!20 hours ago · Like

  • Scott Nicholas Amendolare He was a true gem. Great humor and class act.20 hours ago · Like

  • Pat Milikin I am so sorry… Great sense of humor and fablous ma. Send out love to his family…19 hours ago · Like

  • Donna Huthmacher Clark How tragic and sad! Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends! :(19 hours ago · Like

  • Stephanie Solari Spurlock I have such positive memories of Sameer. He was always so kind and supportive towards those of us not blessed with the brilliant mind he possessed.19 hours ago · Like

  • Judy Hart-Flanagan I am still stunned at this post. I will be praying for his family. I think that is what all will agree about the smartest and nicest!!! RIP19 hours ago · Like

  • Connie Hardy Jennings I, too, am heartbroken and shocked. Sameer was a great guy and will be sorely missed.18 hours ago · Like

  • Emily Painter-Davis I was new to the school our Junior year and he was so nice to me. What a great loss. Blessings to his family and friends.18 hours ago · Like

  • Lance Lazar Sameer just reconnected with many Amherst friends at his 25th reunion this May, and I just reconnected with him as well on Facebook and talked with him just a week ago. He spoke so lovingly of his wife, daughter, and son, and was as sharp and funny as always. It was as though no time had gone by. His passing leaves a terrible gap for so many. He was so full of life and spirit. Strength and solace for his family and many many friends.18 hours ago · Like

  • Le Donna Gray Berman This is such a tragedy – I also just recently reconnected with Sameer on Facebook we were classmates from high school – I also remember him as a brilliant young man who was a true leader – my heart is heavy for his family -14 hours ago · Like

  • Larry Pohlmann My sincere condolences to his family and friends… so young, this is sad.14 hours ago · Like

  • Joni Dumont Taylor I remember Sameer, and he is an exact example of why I believe those of us who grew up military, and in Satellite, have a better and greater tolerance of people from all walks of life. Judge ye not lest ye be judged . My heart goes out to his family.14 hours ago via Facebook Mobile · Like

  • Jim Greene When I got Josh’s FB message today at work, it stopped me in my tracks. It made all the craziness of work suddenly seem silly and unimportant. Quickly my thoughts turned to Satellite High so many years ago when we were so close. I lived at his house on Tortoise Island nearly every weekend. We hosted a big senior class party there the last month of our senior year. He was a terrific friend, loyal, intelligent, funny with a great sense of humor. Even as I write this the lump in my throat grows bigger and my heart breaks for his entire family.14 hours ago · Like · 2 people

  • Larry Pohlmann He’s been added to doc Jimmy McGowan.14 hours ago · Like

  • Jimmy McGowan Thank you, Larry!13 hours ago · Like · 1 person

  • Jeff Evans I was new to Satellite Beach in 9th Grade and I also remember Samir as a welcoming and friendly person. He will be missed.13 hours ago · Like · 1 person

  • Lisa Guill Maxson ‎Jim Greene, I remember that party. What a great group of young people. Eric Moeller (I think) has pictures from the party on facebook.

  • It really puts things into perspective.13 hours ago · Like · 1 person

  • Cynthia Ann Wensinger I remember and joking around with Sameer and yes I thought I was smart but he was stellar and wicked and funny. I think I can say those of us that were lucky enough to have reconnected with Sameer Shah realize how very lucky we are.12 hours ago · Like · 1 person

  • Craig Norheim Sameer was an awesome ..and brilliant guy. I haven’t seen him in years but it is sad know know that I won’t get another chance to see him again.12 hours ago · Like · 1 person

  • Sandy Alison Wagner Very, very sad news indeed…my sincere condolences to Shah family.4 hours ago · Like