Harpal Singh Chahal

1941 - 2016

Harpal Singh Chahal passed away peacefully at home on January 5, 2016 with his family at his side. He was born on July 8, 1941 in what is now Pakistan; he spent the first three decades of his life in Punjab, India, and after immigration with his family in 1976, the next forty years enjoying a happy and productive life in California.

He is survived by his loving wife, Surinder Chahal, with whom he celebrated 49 years of marriage on December 25, 2015. He is survived by daughter Sonia and son-in-law Raj Singh; by daughter Monica, son-in-law Ranjit Bhullar, grandson Ajit Bhullar, and granddaughter, Amrita Bhullar. He is also survived by a loving extended family, including older sister, Gursharan Sandhu and family; brother-in-law Manjit Bal and family; brother-in-law Gurmit Bal and family; brother-in-law Surjit Bal and family; sister-in-law Gurminder Sahota and family; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dharam Singh and Raghbir Kaur Chahal; sister Kuldip Bal; brothers Gurcharan, Daljit, Jagjit, Inderjit, and Sarabjit Chahal; father and mother-in-law Gurbachan and Gurdeep Bal; sister-in-law Narinder Aujla; and brothers-in-law Satwant and Inderjit Bal.

He loved politics and history and read as much as he possibly could on both topics. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Punjab University and a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from Khalsa College in Patiala, where he also served as a professor of political science from 1965-1976. He was a devoted teacher at Bridge Street Elementary School and Yuba City High School from 1979-2002. He taught ESL students part-time for Yuba College and a Punjabi language class at River Valley High School after retirement. He devoted time serving the Tierra Buena Sikh Temple as a board member, as well as a community member.

He enjoyed his time with good friends over the years and was grateful for the many visits he received when he was no longer able to leave home. He will be greatly missed by his loving family, who are grateful for his life and his dedication to each of us. His sons-in-law, Ranjit and Raj, became his sons, and he enjoyed many good laughs with both over the years. His grandchildren, Ajit and Amrita, were a source of tremendous joy. He enjoyed shuttling them to and from school and their many after-school activities and delighted in their every accomplishment. Ever the teacher, their academic accomplishments were especially important, so they grew up with his good report card rewards. His daughters, Monica and Sonia, grew up with a father whose love and faith in them knew no bounds. We will spend our lives being sustained by that love and faith and are deeply grateful for that gift. The love of his life, Surinder, will have many good memories of a husband who wanted, even to the very end, to take care of her and ensure her happiness. They were fortunate to have each other, and their love created the wonderful family we are grateful to be members of. Their legacy of love and of service for others inspires all of us.

Funeral and services are scheduled for Saturday, January 9, 2016, from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (10:00 prayer; 11:00 eulogy; 11:30 viewing; 12:00 cremation) at Chapel of the Twin Cities (715 Shasta Street) followed by lunch and prayer at 1:00 PM at the Tierra Buena Sikh Temple (2468 Tierra Buena Road).

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