I first traveled to India on business in the mid-90s. I had organized a Linux user group in my city and thought it might be fun to meet like-minded individuals

I first traveled to India on business in the mid-90s. I had organized a Linux user group in my city and thought it might be fun to meet like-minded individuals in Bangalore on my first trip there. I reached out and contacted a local organizer who would turn out to be Atul Chitnis. He was a gracious and gregarious host. He organized a gathering during my visit; we met at his business (Exocore) and the traveled to a local pub where I spent the rest of the evening talking with him and many others about the impact of open source on their lives, their livelihood, and the world. We only left when they finally kicked us out of the pub after closing time. It is one of my favorite moments of that first trip. Afterwords we remained periodically in touch, though I never saw him face-to-face again. I would usually write after hearing of his involvement in some new conference or having seen mention of him in some publication. I am sorry to hear of his passing. He will be missed.