Sheelwant (Sheel) Pawar aged 90, was a dedicated and generous brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend to many. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at his assisted living apartment in Holladay, Utah on Sunday, May 28, 2023.
Sheel Pawar was born on October 19, 1932, in the City of Kolhapur, India to Bapurao and Rukhmini Pawar. He graduated from high school in 1950 prior to attending The University of Mumbai (R.A. Podar College of Commerce and Economics), in India, where he received bachelor’s degrees in Commerce, English, and Law. In 1960 he made the momentous decision to leave India to pursue advanced degrees in the U.S. where he attended the University of Utah School of Business, earned his M.B.A., and completed his doctoral studies in 1967.
Prior to the successful completion of his Ph.D. Sheel met Lucille DuPont. They were married in 1965 in Salt Lake City. He also chose, without hesitation, to adopt her daughter Angela Corbelli into his heart and home. In 1967 Sheel accepted a teaching position at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho and embarked on a 38-year journey into academia and his passion for teaching where he touched thousands of lives over the course of his career. Soon after moving to Pocatello, Sheel and Lucille welcomed their first child, Siddhartha. In short order the family grew to six with the births of Sarita and Sheela.
The years that followed brought a life-changing gift to Sheel and his family-- the means and ability to travel the world, including an academic sabbatical in Europe in the mid-70’s. Destinations included England, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Greece, Eastern Europe, Israel, the Middle East, Asia, and Peru. Throughout these adventures, people and places were faithfully captured and documented using his beloved Canon SLR film camera.
As time passed, Sheel and Lucille decided to go their own ways. Despite the profound life change, he persevered and thrived. He continued with a successful career at Idaho State University until 1999, traveled, read voraciously, and enjoyed the company of his children and friends near and far. He became a true bon vivant and found his own path forward.
One of Sheel’s favorite destinations was Paris and the mountain town of Chamonix in the French Alps. He had a deep affection for his sister-in-law Bernadette and brother-in-law Jacques Bachelot. He would often sit with both of them, and their friends, for hours engaging in animated conversations fueled by gourmet dinners, fine wine, cognac, and espresso. Sheel also loved to cook for family and friends. Preparing an Indian meal to perfection filled his heart with joy and converted the most apprehensive to new tastes and flavors. Over the decades Sheel’s dinner parties acted as a catalyst in forging long-lasting relationships.
Being a reliable anchor to the family came naturally to Sheel. His children adored him for who he made them, his grandkids loved him for his gentle manner, and his nephews valued him for his principles, unwavering support, and integrity. Each life Sheel touched was made better, each gesture was an opportunity to learn, every conversation was a learning experience or a moment of discovery.
Perhaps most significant to those Sheel leaves behind is his legacy as a south Asian immigrant to the U.S. in the early 1960’s. It was an era where the need to prove one’s worth, as an immigrant, was of the utmost importance. Sheel never wavered from his chosen path. Through his actions and constant encouragement, he paved the way and assumed a major role in the success of three surviving children (Siddhartha, Sarita, and Sheela), as well as sponsoring educational access for his nephew (Sujit Sakpal), who is now a respected transplant surgeon in South Dakota.
Sheel is survived by his former wife, Lucille Morand; their children Siddhartha (Marilynn Pawar), Sarita, and Sheela (Colum Ward); grandchildren, Aidan Ward, Aneel Ward, Alishya Pawar, Kyle Platt (Samara Platt); his sister, Shobha Sakpal,(Vijay Sakpal), and nephews Samir Sakpal, Sujit Sakpal, Mayuresh Pawar, and Shona Pawar.
Sheel is preceded in his passing by his parents Bapurao and Rukhmini Pawar; his bothers, Jayawand Bapurao Pawar, Anant Bapurao Pawar, and daughter Angela Platt.
Sheel lives on in all those who love and value him.
For those who wish to honor him, donations can be made to the Sheel Pawar scholarship endowment through Idaho State University. Alternatively, gifts in his memory can be made to utahfoodbank.org.
A celebration of life for those who Sheel touched and touched him in return will be held in Pocatello, Idaho at a future date and time.
