SS Sat Purkha Singh Khalsa
May 6, 1952 – May 15, 2011

On Sunday, May 15, 2011 SS Sat Purkha Singh (Los Angeles) returned to Akal Purkh after serving the sangat for many years as a beloved Gursikh. We will miss his wonderful heart and elevated seva. He served the Guru and the sangat with devotion, helping to create a beautiful Langar Kitchen at the Guru Ram Das Ashram, Los Angeles. He is survived by his wife SS Nav Jiwan Kaur, his son Abinashi Singh and daughter Guru Parkash Kaur, as well as sister SS Gurprasad Kaur (Los Angeles) and her family.
These are the words shared by SS Nav Jiwan Kaur to honor her husband:

“Last Sunday, my husband, Sat Purkha Singh, had a perfect day. He arose, prepared himself for sadhana, chanted Aap Sahaee Hoa for 2 ½ hours, did Ishnaan seva, went to Gurdwara and sat down and ate langar. Then he went home and lay down for a well-deserved nap. In that nap, he wrapped one arm around the Siri Singh Sahib, the other arm around Guru Ram Das and began his journey home.

“Sat Purkha Singh liked to translate his name as ‘real guy.’  And that’s what he was, the real deal. He did a strong and consistent sadhana, not because he should, but because it was his passion.

“Sat Purkha Singh arrived at the Boston ashram, saying that he was there to do sadhana and was only staying 40 days. I knew better; I had seen a box of new checks come in the mail with his name and the ashram address printed on them. Sure enough, he never left nor did he ever again speak of leaving. Sat Purkha continued to do sadhana every day regardless of venue.  He did it in a tent with snow falling outside, on a beach, in numerous hotel rooms and once, on an overnight train.

“Sat Purkha Singh served the Guru with this same passion, not because he ought to, but because it completed him. He loved Ishnaan seva and approached it with the same dedication he had for sadhana. Sat Purkha Singh loved to prepare and serve langar, doing so often. In Oregon he found any reason to prepare a meal and invite the sangat for a meditation followed by langar. This passion to prepare and serve food continued in LA from noontime langar to the Baisakhi Day celebration.

“Sat Purkha served his family with the same love and dedication.  From pancakes to fancy crepes, from sandwiches to dinners, he loved preparing and serving food. More than anything, Sat Purkha was a ‘real guy.’ He was the real deal. We can all take comfort that he is at home and at peace.”