Kumar and I met the first evening that he arrived in Miyakonojo. I will never forget the two of us wandering around town looking for a bar trying to work out what the heck was meant by "su-na-ku". And I will never forget him nearly falling off his stool with laughter when he gave me an umeboshi to try for the first time and I hated it. I remember all the times we practised karate together, went rock-climbing and went for kaiten sushi because we were too hung-over to manage anything else. Sometimes we did each other's heads in with his carefree Santa Cruz ways and my up-tight English ways, but ultimately I remember most the times when we cried on each others shoulders over broken hearts and missed family and friends, or shared excitement over loved ones coming to visit or news from home.
I would like to send much love to the family of Kumar who he told me so much about and who he loved profoundly. Kumar was unique and wonderful and touched everyone who knew him. Thank you for creating this website so that we can all celebrate Kumar and his vibrancy.

Kumar,i cant 4get all the days we spent with here in Kenya n i cant imagine that now u belong to another place!u will always be in my thoughts n i trully blieve that one day we will be 2gether,one sweet day n how swet it will be to see u again my friend.in the mean we gat to keep the fire burning.REST IN PEACE BRO

Kumar, do you remember when we went skiing AND surfing on the same day? I think that sums up the way you lived your life. You sucked the juice out until the pips squeaked. You packed about 60 years of experience into 30 short years of life.

I can't believe my dear mate is gone. You never got to visit us in Australia or see my baby daughter, but you met my husband Ted and he got to know you too. He shares my pain in your passing.

I knew Kumar in Japan from 2000 - 2003 and he was my close friend, near neighbour, dinner date, surf buddy, movie mate, sparring partner, confidante and big bright yellow sun in my life.

We spent a lot of time together and I have so many many happy memories of Kumar, "Koomz", "The Bear" Lewis.

Kumar, you lived your life with passion and without fear. You went confidently in the direction of your dreams and lived the life you'd imagined.

My dear Kumar, I'll think of you as a Sun God from the time we went to that costume party together. Like the Sun God, you spread light and warmth whereever you went. When you walked into a room it was like the sun coming out.


This world could not hold you. So you shine on, dear Kumar. I know your soul is flying free. Love you, mate.

Kumar, your bright shining light may have gone out but noone will forget you or what you brought to this world. When I heard of your passing it broke my heart. I remember working in the drama productions at Analy with you and your kindness and compassion has always stuck with me.

To the family, I am so sorry for your loss. Take comfort in knowing how many people your Kumar has touched and know that his spirit has brought so much to this world. I am deeply saddened for you. Please accept my thoughts and prayers.

Chelle

KUMAR LIVED IN CAPITAL LETTERS!Kumar lived in bright, gaudy colors and broad, bright brushstrokes. Kumar never walked into a room that he did not light up with his presence. He did not wait for life to "happen", he MADE it happen! Our delight was in reflecting his light as it wove in and out of our life patterns.
I am so blessed to be a part of the family that created this beautiful spirit. Through the pain of separation, I still feel connected to the light and love of his soul.
It's said that light exists in 2 ways; you can be the light or you can reflect the light. We have been reflecting the light. Our job now is to choose to keep the light in our hearts, rather than let it go out. Choose light. Choose love. Choose peace.

There were so many things that I want to tell Kumar. So, I would like to share a letter that I wrote to Kumar. I think for me, this is the way that I can best show my love and appreciation for him.

I want to thank everyone who made Kumar the Kumar he was, because truly he was an amazing person. My prayers and heart go out to Kumar’s family and his friends.

Dearest Kumar,
I feel so fortunate that I had the chance to work with you for over 2 years at Peace Boat. 43rd voyage, 47th voyage, sitting right across from you in the Tokyo office, where I used to watch you listening to tunes and drumming the desk away… So many fond memories, and so many hardships we overcame together as a team. Endless memories of your smiles, your energy and the fun we had together.

Snowboarding trip that you organized for the GET team. I remember the bus ride, Audrey and you singing away at the back of the night bus. Passenger in the front telling us to be quiet! Arriving at the slops and you roaring at the top of the mountain, and off you went through the forest. I watched you from the back, feeling so much joy transcending from your presence.
Dinner at night, you at the head of the table, our big otousan; protector.
You made us feel safe, you made the trip so full of joy and laughter.
I will never forget.

I remember the nice lunches we had in Takadanobaba.
All the long talks; about work, friendship, love, family, snowboarding, about your passion for Africa.

I felt so much sadness and anger when I heard the news, so unreal, so numb, so many tears… I still do, but now I realize that you still live inside so many people hearts. Countless memories of you are floating in every country you have been too, all the people you have met (and that’s a lot!!!). I can still see you drumming the desk in the office, you in the snowy mountain top, your big smile and hugs, that made me feel so warm.

Tall, handsome, full of life, fun, optimistic, sometimes child-like, big hugs, burning passion, unforgettable in everyway. Inspiration and impact to us all. You will always live inside us.
Your passion for music, for sports, for people and for knowledge touched all who crossed path with you. I don’t think I have met someone who was so “alive”, so full of life as you. I will treasure what you left behind in us, and I know that you are drumming away on a beautiful beach, waiting for the big wave, together with Peter.

I do miss you, and we all do, but I know you are not alone and that you are still with us in spirit. That you are still the same beautiful guy, the guy who brought music, fun and inspiration to us all.

Thank you.

From Anthony and Ryoko Jennings (yes we got married)Jet in Miyazaki 00-02, Perth Western Australia

To Kumar and his family. Like everyone else I was shocked and saddened by the news, I didnt know Kumar well, as I lived in Miyazaki city during my time in Japan and you were in Miyakonojo, but you were always a ball of energy and uplifting to be around when you visited the big smoke of Miyazaki. Your seemed to have talent to burn, you showed us all how athletic you are when we played for MUFF, and what a good sport you were. I pass on my sincere condolences to the entire Lewis family and to you Kumar, RIP.

Not five minutes before I heard the news, I was thinking about Kumar, about how he was always a joy to see, no matter what was going on or how long it had been since we'd last seen each other, about how I really would like to get in touch with him. He always had one of his huge grins and that warm, sincere hug. An amazing person. I can't believe he's gone. My heart goes out his family, and to all of us who were lucky enough to know Kumar.

Kumar is so much a blessing for us. He's made obvious some of the best things a person can be: kind, creative, energetic, conscious and many other beautiful aspects of the human critter. I still regard his professional performance in "Brighton Beach..." as one of the most memorable theatre experiences of my life. He has certainly shone brightly in a difficult world, and as part of an outstanding family is a community treasure.

Kumar
I am still numb from the news. It feels like I lost a son, a friend, and a teacher. You were your own radiant light where-ever you went.

I will never forget our time on the Peace Boat.
You managed to awaken old passions in me that the years had pushed into the background. And the talks we had over drinks sliding around the bar on the ruff sea's were enough to tilt me back to being optimistic.

Celebrating your 30th birthday in Peru surfing all day
until it was too dark to see. Celebrating this new years with you Erin, Kimi, and Chris. Blinking lights, running down the middle of the road the first day of the new year!

Thank You, I love you
Don

Kumar possessed a knack for seeing the goodness and the potential in people. As coordinator for the 51st Peace Boat voyage he brought together a diverse group of people and made us one big family. He was the negotiator, the big brother, the musician, the hard worker who never slept, the ocean watcher, the California dude, the one who always wanted you and everyone else to be having a good time, the one you didn’t want to disappoint. He lived every aspect of his life with a sincerity that is rarely seen. He packed more into his 30 years than most people can do in 80. As stunned as I am by his passing, it brings me a lot of comfort to know that even to the end he was living for his passions and dreams. I think that we can all take something from the way he lived his life: his optimism, his belief that through small acts of our own we can contribute to a change in the world, and his enthusiasm for absolutely everything. He affected so many people’s lives all over the globe and will always have a place in my heart. The world has lost 2 kind souls with the deaths of Kumar and Peter. But the world is also a better place for their having been here.

It saddens my heart to hear that another one of the Lords children was called to the big masion in the sky. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I know the deep feeling of loss and my heart aches for your family now. I know that he is at peace and is with the Lord now looing down on you all and watching over you. He is now your guardian angel.

I just read Joshua Porter's posting and am deeply moved. He captured our Kumar's spirit - what a beautiful thing to share! I am his "auntie" Linda. Lived with them for a few years when he was 4, 5 &6. and have been a close family friend every since. We all loved Kumi and will miss him dearly and we will be changed forever and grow in many good ways due to this early loss. He emmanated light and love and laughter wherever he went and has done so since he was born.
And I will always carry him in my heart, think of him when I am afraid, get strength from those thoughts and walk through my fears with more resolve because he set the example of how to do that.
Linda Sawtelle

Dearest Kumar and his family I am so saddened by the news that I heard today. I have not seen you Kumar since we graduated but I knew that you were a beacon of light that needed to shine. You had such a lust for life, as we can see thru all the pictures you haven't changed a bit. I hope that this website gives your family lots of joy in knowing that you touched so many peoples lives and that you are going to be greatly missed by all who knew you. Till we meet again,

Kam Smith
class of 93

i write this message to all kumars loved ones with
great sorrow in my heart for your loss...i write to
share some of the times he and i had, especially in
the recent months leading up to his passing...i write
without capitols or punctuation as this is a style
that he would expect of me

my name is josh, i am a member of peace boat and have
worked closely with kumar for the last few years

i worked with him on his first voyage when he joined
as a volunteer and then helped him prepare for his
role as a staff on the two subsequent global voyages
that he joined

after he returned from a vacation to his home this
last holiday season, we had worked closely on some
projects together here in tokyo. in these months
before he left for kenya we often took time to talk at
length of our families, relationships, passions, and
our thoughts about the art of living in this world of
ours

i was deeply effected by these discussions ...each of
these talks held a kernel of his perspective and so
what follows are ten insights that i picked up from
this time with kumar

1. put your headphones on when you work, tap the desk,
bob your head and sing along regardless of whether
your in key or not, itll give you a rhythm to help you
get through your day with a smile

2. never pass up a chance to do something active like
skateboarding, rock climbing, snowboarding with your
friends.. youll almost always be happy you went along

3. greet your friends with a big hug and a broad smile
as often as you can... it makes everyone feel good

4. when your talking to a group of people, dont let
the content overwhelm the purpose of your talk, engage
your audience and let them feel you first and give
them the information second

5. when someone in the office returns with food from a
port dont scoff it up right a way but rather stowe it
away in a nook in your desk so you can have it when
the craving strikes you later on

6. dance because it feels good and if you want to
close your eyes when your doing it... go for it

7. share music with your friends... its free and
communicates a lot about how your feeling or what your
appreciating at the moment

8. prioritize your body... take time for a workout and
stay healthy and in touch with your physical
connection to this world

9. get to know your mom as a friend.. she has
experienced so much and this relationship is precious
to you both

10. marvel at people, the oceans, the mountains, the
sky and enjoy what life offers you when it does

and to you, kumar, our dear friend, many thanks for
the times. as, i sit here sorting through the the
volunteer applications for the next voyage –
something weve done together many times before, i hear
your words, and for a moment i stop to listen... and
then the rhythm of life grabs me and im off again

you should know that your with us, tucked away in each
of our hearts, helping us look at it all little
differently

until we can get together again... heres wishing you
sunny days filled with perfect waves, freshly dumped
powder runs and new born baby smiles

oh how beautiful the sunsets must be from where your
standing, how intoxicating the rhythms, how endless
the ride

all our love

josh, suzy and giullia

When I found out on Tuesday of this week about this tragedy that happened in a far away place it took me and many of us that grew up in a small town and spread out all over the world right back home again. I was not close to Kumar on a daily basis but I can say that many of our conversations about politics and sociology at an early age shaped my beliefs and still impact my feelings on a great deal of topics facing our world today.

As much as I am angry and hurt by the evil that has crept in and taken something from us that I took for granted, I am thrilled that Kumar had an impact on so many. Put himself out there (literally) in a manner that most would never dare and forced the rest of us to think about what impact we will leave on this earth that will last beyond our years. Kumar, there are many memories of you that make me smile when it comes to Brook Haven and Analy. But because of your efforts for others and for committing to doing something that was for the understanding of other cultures and practicing tolerance, you are a legend.

Goodbye my friend. I will always regret not knowing you beyond '93

Thomas Binkley

Aloha friends and family of Kumar, aka the Bear, aka Tigger, I wrote this email to our group of friends from the JET years and thought I'd post it here on the KumarLewis site....
What to say. I can't believe it. I Took some time to think about our brother Kumar this weekend. Saw an incredible sunset and decided that Kumar was a part of the sunset and was looking down at me saying what up. There was this one bright streak of reddish orange that seriously reminded me of "the bear", it looked so vibrant, and bright which is how I'll always remember our friend. 10 minutes later that particular color was gone, but not forgotten....never forgotten, if it's never forgotten then it's always a part of us.... just like our brother.

Keep him alive by always thinking and talking about him, not with sadness but with fond memories and happy thoughts. I miss all of you guys and miss him the most because I know I won't see him again except in my soul when I look there to find him.

To all you wonderful people.

The outpouring of love, respect and affection that everyone had for kumar is just incredible.

He touched so many people (that boy got around!) and its very touching to hear the impact he had on peoples lifes, both those i've yet to meet and hearing from very old friends whom i'm not seen in a long time.

There has been so much correspondence its almost overwhelming, so hopefully this guestbook will facilitate people getting their messages out.

Thank you all.
Peace.