Satyendra Singh Huja

1942 - 2025

Satyendra Singh Huja

January 13, 1942 - February 14, 2025

He leaves his wife of 20 years, Irene Huja; his son Uday Singh Huja of Australia and his wife Sarah and daughter, Paige; his son Ajai Singh Huja of Oregon, wife Christin, and their children Meera and Simran; his brother Dr. Birendra Singh Huja of Hawaii and his wife Sushil. His eldest brother, Commodore Rabinder Singh Huja, passed in 2019 in Pune, India.

Born in Kohat, India (now in Pakistan) in 1942, to Jai Singh Huja and Shanti Devi Huja, he immigrated to the United States in 1960. He received his undergraduate education at Cornell University and Roberts Wesleyan College in Architecture and Psychology respectively. He received his BA in psychology with honors. He earned his graduate degree in City Planning from Michigan State University.

He was a follower of the Sikh religion, but attended the Unitarian Universalist Church in Charlottesville.

He was elected the Mayor of the City of Charlottesville and served two terms from January 2012 to January 2016. He was also a member of Charlottesville City Council from January of 2008 until finishing as Mayor in 2016. He was the first Indian Sikh mayor of an American city.

Prior to that he worked for the City of Charlottesville for 33 years as the Director of Planning, Director of Community Development and finally as Director of Strategic Planning. In his time working for the city he was a strong advocate for the construction of the Downtown Pedestrian Mall, Historic Court Square revitalization, University Corner revitalization, and Starr Hill neighborhood revitalization. In addition, he initiated the construction of Northeast Park, Star Hill Park, River View Park and the Rivanna Greenbelt. He advocated for housing for the elderly, people with disabilities and people living in poverty. He was responsible for the first adopted comprehensive plan for the City of Charlottesville, which included physical, social and economic factors in a holistic manner.

As planning director he initiated many social programs, including Meals on Wheels, the Mediation center, and Alliance for Interfaith Ministry. He supported the Art In Place program. Finally he was a strong advocate for the preservation of nature-particularly trees.

In addition to his work for the city, he was a lecturer in the School of Architecture, Planning Division for 40 years.

He served as deputy Director of Planning and Chief Planner for the City of Portsmouth, Virginia. He worked on many projects, including Portsmouth Marine Terminal. From October 1969 to December of 1970, he was the executive director of RNED model cities in Rochester NY and advocated for low-income families. From May 1968 to October 1969, he was a City Planner with the Rochester Bureau of Planning, major tasks included attitude research, and Genesee River plan.

His most rewarding job was serving in soup kitchen for 40 years.

He was the author of 6 books, including Poems in Prose and Line; Some Thoughts for Friends and Friends to be; Porch Swings to Patios; Community Planning and Development Outline; Add a Little Spice to Your Life; and Sikhism prayer in action.

He received many honors and awards including first in class for his Master's program; Bachelors of Arts Cum Laude; Distinguished Service Award at Wesleyan College; Outstanding Young Men of America (1972 listing); President's Committee on employment of handicapped; President of India Association; Honors from Virginia Society of American institute of Architects; Who's Who in America (2001 listing); Pew Foundation recognition for Downtown revitalization; Piedmont Council of the Arts Special Recognition Award; and Fellow of American Institute of Certified Planners.

He was a member of or served on many community boards, including Board of Monticello Area Community Action; Jefferson Area United Transportation; Piedmont Housing Alliance; Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center; Jefferson Area Board for Aging; and Art in Place.

His major interests were community building, planning, nature, design, art, travel, international affairs, and religion in its broadest terms.

He challenged himself and others to think out of the box - to find creative solutions.

Donations may be given to Meals on Wheels or the Charlottesville Municipal Band in his honor. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, March 1st at 3:00 p.m. in the Unitarian Universalist Church on Rugby Road.