Honoring Chimanbai Patel’s Memory

Chi was a light that shined bright in this world. He always had a smile on his face and just truly enjoyed life. Chi always went out of his way to help others, he not only inspired everyone around him but encouraged us to be our true authentic selves. Chi gave love, was love and forever will be remembered as love in this world. Chi left an imprint of his sweet soul in everyone he crossed paths with.

As believers we find comfort in our Lords promise of seeing the ones we have lost one day when our time comes. Coming to terms with the fact that we will not see his beautiful smile again nor have him guide us on a hike in our own backyard in Carmel, Big Sur and Monterey will surely be moments missed. Chi had plenty of years ahead of him but he did not waste his 37 years of life. If anyone lived every day to its fullest it was Chi never wasting a second. He always made time to reach out to the people most important to him and made sure he devoted his time. Chi was intentional in always making sure to remind everyone that he loved them and what they meant to him. He would make a phone call, record a video message or a voice note that was heart felt and sometimes goofy which will be cherished as gems. There is more than one family in pain at this time—his family in blood and family from his heart that he made along the way. Chi started his journey to the path of his ultimate goal approximately 8 years back—stopping along the way to gain the necessary experience in Southern California, Colorado, Montana and Oregon . Chi made the sacrifice of leaving his family in Seaside, California for the greater good. The beginning of forming his network of connections was initiated in Running Springs, California at the Pali institute where he remained for nearly 2 years. At the Pali institute he contributed his time and made sure to absorb any and all knowledge and training he was grateful to receive. As a senior instructor, Ropes lead and Head Senior Boys Counselor he solidified that he was very passionate about youth development by way of outdoor education. His mission for the non-profit however was to return to his hometown in Seaside, California and establish his own facility where a program that would serve underrepresented youth through innovative integration of backpacking and therapeutic interventions would be initiated. His vision for this program is for the youth of similar background to his own to cultivate personal resilience and growth—ultimately realizing the potential for inner development and healing through the beauty and benefits found in nature. Chi would talk about his aspirations of starting this program to anyone lending an ear and constantly spreading the knowledge he learned yet with an understanding that there is always more to learn. His greatest wish was for this goal to come to fruition and unfortunately his earthly journey has come to an end. However, he lives on as a legend with many mountains conquered, hikes checked off his very long list of achievements and many adventures along the way. Collectively as a unit of family, friends and generally anyone who knew how passionate he was we are ensuring his missions purpose is achieved.

At this time we are gathering funding for a funeral, celebration of life and the program that will directly benefit his community.