Gopal Valji Savjani, 77 years old, passed away after an acute illness on Friday, October 23, 2020.

 

Gopal was born in Mota Vadia, a small village in Gujarat, India. Growing up in a family of modest means, Gopal learned quickly how important it was to pursue a good education, as well as the significance of providing opportunity, care and guidance to family and friends.

 

Gopal immigrated to the United States from India in 1968 to pursue his education at the University of California-Berkeley and the University of Washington, where he earned his Masters in Chemistry and in Chemical Engineering.  He started his career in Hightstown (New Jersey), and then moved to Nashua (New Hampshire), Chicago (Illinois) and St. Paul (Minnesota) before he moved to the suburbs of south Houston in 1978.  In 1981, he founded Diagnostic Systems Laboratories (DSL) in Webster, Texas.  He later created Ansh Labs, where he was able to continue his work in female reproductive health diagnostics.

 

Caring for those in need was always near and dear to Gopal's heart.  Over the past three decades, he was a generous philanthropist, supporting a range of people in need. He strongly believed in the importance of encouraging the education of girls in underprivileged communities and established the Amrutben Savjani School in his hometown of Mota Vadia.  His concern for the community also expanded to the establishment of  the Amrutben Valjibhai Damjibhai Savjani Arts and Commerce College and also a prominent food distribution center in the region. He was an active member and supporter of Chinmaya Mission Houston and the Gujarati Samaj of Houston and a leading member of the Indian American community and took an active part in civic organizations such as India House Houston. 

 

Among his various interests, Gopal had a passionate curiosity about technology and would often tinker with new gadgets. Many weekends would be spent reading about upcoming technology and the inner workings of various devices. But although he had a love for new tech, he thoroughly enjoyed partaking in the classic card games of his home country, particularly ‘theenpati’ which made for lively evenings with his close friends. 

 

Gopal was known for a jovial presence that could fill a room with his welcoming spirit.  He was a great lover of various types of Indian cuisine especially bajia and kitchri, and was famous for his fafra which was loved and enjoyed by everyone around him. He would cook intuitively, without the use of recipes, and would take certain joy and pride with presenting his culinary creations. 

 

Gopal took much enjoyment hosting friends and family at his home. While he was known to be the life of the party, his most treasured moments were the quiet times spent on the porch swing, surrounded by his family and friends.  He will be deeply missed by all he leaves behind, and his memory will be most poignantly cherished by his wife, Urvashi and his sons, Rajen and Anish.