In Loving Memory of Anwar Hoq

Dear Friends and Family,

Our beloved father Anwar Hoq passed away on December 16, 2021. He was an extraordinary human being - born in a village in Noakhali, Bangladesh with no running water or electricity. He nonetheless thrived in that environment, developing a deep appreciation for the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit when faced with adversity. In his case, that meant living through food scarcity, devastating cyclones, small pox, and traveling great distances to access the kind of education necessary to ultimately rise above his circumstances. But he also knew that his experience was an anomaly, and that the odds were stacked against him. From when we were young, he would tell us stories about how his achievements were a combination of personal initiative, luck, happenstance, and some seed money from his maternal grandfather. A prominent village landowner, his grandfather saw promise in his plucky young grandson to not only better himself and his immediate family, but his whole village community as well.

 

Our father centered the experiences of his village upbringing as a moral compass for the rest of his life. While pursuing his university education, he also became heavily involved in the Bangladesh liberation movement. His passion for the movement sometimes eclipsed his studies, but solidified his strength of character and reputation as a leader, that contributed to the alchemy of his well-lived life. He went on to become a professor of veterinary medicine; contribute to the fight for a free Bangladesh (our father's death on December 16 was the 50th anniversary of that victory); win a scholarship to earn his Ph.D. in the U.S.; practice veterinary medicine for the USDA; sponsor much of his extended family to immigrate to the U.S. (including five siblings, their spouses, and a combined nine children); and build a wonderful life in Southern California.

Our father was also a devoted husband, supporting our mother through the progression of her twenty-year struggle with Parkinson's disease; a loving "Bapi" who inspired but never pushed his daughters to follow in his footsteps; a special "Nana" to three grandchildren who lit up his world and, later in life, gave him the will to carry on; and a wise and supportive brother, uncle, and friend, imparting his good judgment to all those who sought it. Until the end of his life, and despite his failing health, he remained an idealist and a deep thinker; a scientist, but one who never lost his appreciation for the wonders of nature; and a striver toward a better humanity.

 

Our father was deeply committed to making the world a better place, which he did through his personal support for various causes both in Bangladesh and the United States. Many people have asked to send us gifts (including flowers). We know that Bapi would have wanted such gifts directed toward those who need an extra boost toward building a better life, like he received so many years ago. Although we have not quite determined exactly how to approach this, we intend to direct any gifts sent on his behalf to charitable causes that were dear to his heart, including poverty alleviation in Bangladesh and civil rights in the U.S. If you would like to make a gift in his honor, please do so here. If you would like your gift directed toward a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, please indicate that in the comment section so we can ensure the necessary documentation on your behalf.

With Love and Gratitude, 
Lalima and Laboni