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Satwant Singh Kaleka
Satwant Singh Kaleka
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Satwant Kaleka Obituary
Satwant Singh Kaleka, 65, managed to find a simple butter knife in the temple and tried to stab the gunman even after being shot twice near the hip or upper leg, his son said Monday.
Amardeep Singh Kaleka said FBI agents hugged him Sunday, shook his hand and said, "Your dad's a hero" for fighting to the death while protecting others.
"Whatever time he spent in that struggle gave the women time to get cover" in the kitchen, Kaleka said. One of the women was his mother, who called police using her cellphone while hiding from the gunman.
Relatives said Kaleka dedicated his life to the members of the Oak Creek temple, of which he was considered the founder. He was also one of the lead investors in the building's construction.
His nephew Jatinder Mangat said Kaleka was always willing to help out with any job.
"He doesn't care what he's wearing, what he's doing, he'll just be there for you," Mangat said. "We used to say 'It's OK, we'll have somebody else do it,' and he'd say, 'No, no, I'll do it,' even if it was a dirty job. He'll do anything."
Another nephew, Gurmit Kaleka, also spoke of his uncle's willingness to serve.
"He was a great guy who always believed in social service. He was always willing to help anyone who came his way," Kaleka said.
DINESH RAMDE,Associated Press
GRETCHEN EHLKE,Associated Press
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
8 Entries
Pammiekaleka Grewal
August 14, 2012
Veerji you will be missed a lot. By your family and your cousins from village dugal.i wish I had contacted you earlier,you were so close friends of my brothers Surinder harinder anand pal who are in heaven with you.we all miss you,looks like god needed you than us .but you made us all very proud to be Kaleka.
Rana brar
August 10, 2012
my dear taya ji sat want singh ji kaleka i naver forget you your allways inside my heart i love you so much your no die your alive inside me i love you again
Ram & Meera Agrawal
August 9, 2012
IN MEMORY OF SATWANT SINGH KALEKA
Pradhan jee
We are very thankful of you to show us the door of eternal peace and heavenly world of "VAHE GURU". Although, your presence will be missed, however you will always reside in our heart and prayer.
Paviter Sangha
August 9, 2012
Uncle Ji. You will be missed. Never forgotten. We love you. You are and we are very proud of the Family you raised and the Seva to your Sangat.
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Amanjeet Kaleka
August 9, 2012
Chachaji,
Perhaps you can know that although we had a strained relationship at times, I know you meant well and always had my best interests at heart. You saw me as your daughter amongst your sons. My sadness is more so that I didn't get to see you recently but you would be very proud how the community has come together during this loss.
I know you always wanted us to learn more about sikhi and know our roots, and us 'bacche' who you saw grow up into adults will do our very best to make you proud. From the time you came from india to our home until most recently being with my Dad at Gurudwaras, I know him and Gurwant Uncle are grieving yet trying to remain strong for everyone else.
since I didn't get to tell you recently, i will say so now, i love you very much, miss your witty discussions, and may waheguru care for you and all the other victims of this vicious act.
waheguru ji ka khalsa, waheguru ji ki fateh.
luv always,
me
Gajinder Singh
August 8, 2012
All six who lost their lives are heroes. God loving, peaceful, kind and hardworking. May their souls RIP
GS
T B
August 8, 2012
My condolences to all. What a brave soul and a kind man.
Vasilios Emmanuel Glimidakis
August 7, 2012
In memory of Satwant Singh Kaleka
A true and faithful man who gave his life saving others and the thing he loved to do on August 5, 2012 in this location. God alone understands.
The Lord said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."--KJV John 15:13
Dear Kaleka and other families,
I am sorry for your loss. God bless him and his family.
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