Vinay Michael Hemmalgarn was born in South Bend, Indiana in 1952. He passed December 20, 2021 of complications from Covid-19. He is survived by a son, Jai, who lives in Brazil, and two younger sisters, Kathy, who lives in California and Therese, in Indiana. I am honored to have been his co-worker in several projects and his friend.
What I remember most about Vinay is being greeted by his sunny smile that spread from ear-to-ear. He glowed brightly with Baba’s love. I first met him in 1972 when we both attended an Ananda Marga asana class at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where we were students. We were initiated that year, and a bit later managed the Ananda Marga Clear Moment Food Co-op together.
Vinay made work fun. In 1977 Vinay went to the Sectorial Office in Denver to be the Sectorial Finance Secretary. When I finished LFT Training in Denver, I was posted as the WWD Sectorial Finance Secretary. Together we separated the sectorial financial and legal system into AMPS and WWD for donations, and I assisted him with setting up the 501(c)3 tax exemption status. Working on the most intricate financial bookkeeping records, he could somehow make a pleasure to do. Vinay was an example of santosa for all with whom he came into contact.
For over five decades, Vinay headed up the financial and legal departments, first for AM, Inc. and then the Path of Bliss. He assisted many with their visas and immigration issues. His business was as a tax accountant, and I believe he was outstanding in his field.
Swimming was an important activity and passion for Vinay. When he swam for Indiana University, he had the same coach as did Mark Spitz, the 5-time Olympic gold medal recipient. I went swimming with him many times over the years. He helped me tweak my back stroke and encouraged me to swim daily. Two years ago, before the pandemic, I passed through St. Louis, where he lived the last few years of his life. He took me to the YMCA where he swam daily. As we talked in the lobby, dozens of people stopped to speak with him. He attracted others with the deep love and devotion to Baba in his heart.
Vinay loved “Star Wars”. He could quote speeches from the movies by heart, and had the DVD of every episode. He also loved music, and was a talented pianist with perfect pitch. I remember when he sat up awake all night a couple of times recording all the albums of The Moody Blues and Jethro Tull for me. I didn’t ask him to; it was something he did out of thoughtfulness and service to his friends. He was a model of service and sacrifice. He helped dozens of people all over the world with financial, legal, organizational, and personal issues. That was who he was. He had the biggest heart of anyone I have ever known. He was truly a renaissance man.
I see an image so clearly in my mind of Vinay with his briefcase swaying, his coat half on, papers rustling in his hands, and wearing a wide smile, running to the car where I was waiting to take us into Bloomington to open up the co-op that morning. One of his foibles was that, because he took on so much work for others, at times, he struggled to make it to his commitments on time. He did improve with this over the years, I must say.
No matter how full his day might be, Vinay always did proper spiritual practices. He was up at 4 am, and sometimes as early as 3 or 2 am, to get in his work and also to do his spiritual practices, to which he was so devoted.
Vinay will be remembered for the enormous service he gave to Ananda Marga, to his clients, to many margiis, didis, and dadas, and to non-margiis all his life. There was no better friend. When I called on him, he was always there for me. Many others could say the same.
Vinay Hemmelgarn, an unselfish, service-minded, devoted margii, will be missed.
- Miirabaii
Jai has asked that donations be sent to:
"his sunny smile that spread from ear-to-ear."
ReplyDeleteI thought that was a good description of that smile. The first time I met Vinaya was when I was working at a desk in the Wichita office in the summer of 1973, and he appeared in front of the desk and gave me one of those smiles.
I wrote:
Delete"... he appeared in front of the desk and gave me one of those smiles."
I should add that he didn't say anything. He introduced himself in that simple way.
When I first came to the US, Vinay was the first brother to greet me in the Denver Jagriti. I spoke to him in the 2020 virtual retreat but it was brief. I wished it was longer. +1 on the smile. Very sharp mind and also fit.
ReplyDeleteWhat an apt and wonderful tribute to such a special man, Miirabaii. Vinay's big, sunny smile was indeed infectious and uplifting. When talking to him, you really felt his interest in you and what you were saying, which made for great, inspiring, and funny, conversations. His dedication as a margii is an inspiration to us all. His sudden death was a shock and he will be sorely missed--but also celebrated for the great man that he was.
ReplyDeleteBrother Vinay and I used to swim together nearly every day when I lived in St. Louis. He also helped my fiance and I start our family business. He guided and directed the work of transcribing and editing Baba Stories. He was always so generous with his time, played wonderful kiirtan and was a genuinely wonderful human being who will be missed. Baba Nam Kevalam!
ReplyDeleteVinay was very helpful to us at New Day School in Portland, Oregon during the time that we were working on non-profit status issues. He gave us hours of his time and advice.
ReplyDeleteOne story: I was working at my home office one day when I got a call from Vinay. He had been spending a few days in a small town, Mt. Angel, about 35 miles from Portland helping some non-profit group with their bookkeeping. He was scheduled to fly out of Portland that day, but his ride fell through. He called and said "Brother, missing that plane is not an option. I have no one else here to reach out to but you." So I hopped in the car, drove down to Mt. Angel, picked him up and took him to the airport. Along the way, in addition to a number of delightful stories, he would periodically say, "Shiva Kumar, you saved my b---. I can never thank you enough." I said, "Vinay, you help so many people. This is only a small favor."