“Bapi” Ashish K. Gupta
In Memory of Bapi Gupta
January 23, 1965 – July 5, 2015
“Bapi” Ashish Kumar Gupta, beloved son of Genie Dee of Los Gatos, California and the late Naba Kumar Gupta of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away on July 5th, 2015. He was hit by two cars while crossing South Broadway Avenue, near Cerre Street in downtown St. Louis early Sunday morning, June 28th, and suffered extensive brain damage. He was taken off life support on Sunday, July 5th at St. Louis University Hospital, and passed away at 4:23 p.m. His kidneys, heart valves and other tissues were donated through Mid-America Transplant Services, so as to benefit others and possibly save a life, as Bapi would have wished. His body was cremated and his ashes will be interred by his family in Santa Cruz, California.
Memorial donations should be directed to the Bapi Gupta GoFundMe account at http://bapisafestreets.org, or given in person to the family. All donations in excess of current expenses will be donated to B.A.P.I. Safe Streets.org
Bapi was the beloved brother of Diane Wales and nephew of Marcella Boles, both of San Francisco, CA; stepson of Ronald Morin of Los Gatos, CA; and nephew of Susan Dee, Clarksdale, NY and Amalia Dee, Queens, NY. Bapi is also survived by many loving friends in the St. Louis area and others in Lincoln, Nebraska, California and Florida.
Born January 23, 1964 in Chicago, with early years in Chicago and Madison, Wisconsin, Bapi grew up mostly in Lincoln, Nebraska, eventually coming to St. Louis to study at Washington University with a Chancellor’s Honorary Academic Scholarship. He majored in biology, with concentrations in math and computer science. Bapi ran the computer systems for and taught computer science in the math department. He later served as a systems administrator and consultant to The Sporting News, prior to recent jobs at local eateries in the Soulard area of St. Louis.
A Celebration of Bapi’s Life will be held at the Franklin Room, 816 Allen Ave. , St. Louis MO, 63104 on Sunday, July 12th, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There will also be another memorial for him in Santa Cruz, CA at a later date and place that is to be determined.
Bapi will be remembered as someone who “would give you the shirt off his back.” His unspoken motto was – “To have a friend, be one.” He will be greatly missed.
Genie Dee, Bapi’s mother, wrote this statement:
“Our family greatly appreciates the outpouring of love, prayers, and other support we have received from Bapi’s many friends and family. We deeply grieve that no modern miracle, nor hundreds of prayers said, can bring Bapi back to the fun-loving, caring, joyful and witty person that he was. Our hearts are breaking with the pain of his unjust end. What we can do is try to prevent a similar tragedy from falling upon any other family. To this end, we are launching the Bringing Awareness Pedestrian Initiative Safe Streets Campaign, to be known as the BAPI Safe Streets Campaign. This campaign has two objectives: -To prevail upon the City of St. Louis to evaluate and urgently implement any physical measures which will improve the safety of Broadway Avenue, including the use of cobblestones, pedestrian crossings, improved lighting, or any other physical measures known to be effective in reducing traffic speed and increasing motorist awareness; and to consider such measures for other high-traffic areas. -To launch in the media a campaign to make motorists more aware of pedestrians and to encourage safe driving practices, not only on Broadway Avenue, but on other streets where pedestrians may be crossing. We are calling upon Bapi’s many friends and other caring members of the public to support this campaign with their dollars and their letters, calls. and emails to the mayor and members of the Board of Aldermen to support these measures. We cannot bring Bapi back; support of the BAPI Safe Streets Campaign is one way we can give back to the community some of the love that Bapi has given to us.”Please leave your memories of Bapi, and your messages of love and support for his survivors below. Thank you.
Bapski, you may have taught computer science and math way back when, but what you taught us about LIFE cannot be measured in grade point averages or curves.
By more than exemplifying that unspoken motto about being a friend to make them, you taught so many of us–including me–how stupid it is to give up on friendships just because maybe some of them in the past didn’t work out and how wise it is to finally put ourselves out there and take that risk. We know now, too, that we have to be vigilant and take care of each other. That’s why your friends and family named a campaign after you, Bapi; it’s up to us now to take care of others the way you took care of us.
Whether it’s clear and sunny outside or grim and cloudy, know you’re still here waking us up in the morning and tucking us into sleep with that famous Bapi toothy grin but also to give us that little shove into the ring when our fears hold us back. Thank you, Mr. Soulard. We love you more than you’ll ever know.
I am thinking of your family at this time! I only had the pleasure of meeting Bapi one time, yet one time was all it took for me to look at a picture of him in a tragic news story, and instantly remember that unforgettable smile, and those kind welcoming eyes that so graciously welcomed me into his home that one time. I am so sorry for your loss, and the loss this world has suffered. More people like Bapi is just what this world needs. All my love, Shannon
Bapi’s friendship and kindness meant a great deal to me growing up – I’m sorry I never got to tell him so, but glad that we were in touch as adults.
My dearset Bapi…what an amazing person u were. And the greatest of friends. U will be truly missed but never forgotton. U leave behind so many loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with your friends and family. God def took u from us too soon. I will never be able to tell u how much your friendship meant to me. U were always there…anytime someone needed u(me). Your life and smile were infectious. And we can never forget one of many selfies taken by u. I love u and look forward to the day we meet again:) I know you will be watching over all of us…being our guardian angel. Im so very thankful i met u so many years ago and extremly blessed to have been able to call u my friend. RIP buddy!
Bapi thank you for every kindness, every hug, every joke when life got hard and thank you for your friendship. Your bright spirit will never be forgotten and left its mark on all of us. Much love to you dear as you continue your journey in the next realm. I will miss you and your wonderful smile.
So live that when thy summons comes
To join the innumerable caravan that
Moves to that mysterious realm where
Each shall take his chamber in the
Silent halls of death, thou go not like
The quarry slave at night, scourged
To his dungeon, but sustained and
Soothed by an unfaltering trust,
Approach the grave like one who
Wraps the drapery of his couch about
Him, and lies down to pleasant dreams
Bapi Bapi Bapi,
We met so many years ago in a place called 1227 were we hung out every weekend. You were in and out of my life for close to 27 years, but always had a hug and a smile when our paths crossed. I’m lucky that our paths crossed once again 2 weeks before the horrible accident. I am so grateful that we had a chance to talk, laugh and get one last hug before you left this world. You touched thousands of people during your stay in STL and I am glad to call you “friend”. You will be missed, but not forgot. Love ya brotha!
Sending much love and healing to Bapi ‘s Mom and family . We will get this roadway slowed down in his memory .. So sorry for your loss , he was a next door neighbor always smiling or stopping to talk .. He will continue to shine on us all protecting from above from the dangers below .. Peace
Not every day is it that a person is born into this world that will in some way leave an everlasting mark on the lives of everyone who knew them. Someone with a genuine good heart, contagious smile and continuous laughter that could brighten the day of anyone. And a person who could manage to impact the lives around them, just by being in their prescence. Bapi did exactly that!! Gone but never forgotten.
Your great big smile will be missed.
Bapi Bob, thanks for the college memories, apartment fun house and good times!
its a drag, but we got to keep that Velocity Vibe going, just like in Footloose, the dancing doesn’t stop ever.
-dj rob lemon
Bapi there are no words to expressthe love you selflessly gave and the smile that lit up the world. Im am grateful and honored to have been your friend and as you called the pic ” your happy place” always a gentleman and knight in shining armor even to those who were not worthy. That was not acceptable to be not worthy. Anyone was worthy even if they might harm you. Our world will be better because of you, the thousands of pics and the captor of hearts to people who knew and loved you to people who only now learn of you. I thank ykur mother and father and extended family for giving us to you. Anyone is welcome to the Selfies for Bapi Gupta FB group.
Fly high.
In my 20+ years of knowing you, I feel privileged to be able to have been your friend. Unfortunately I was usually behind the bar, so I am in few selfies. You always had a smile and a hug for me. You consoled me when I lost someone. I try to pass it on. If I end up in the same place, I’ll do my hair orange, put on my stack boots so we can laugh at how silly it is for someone my age to be 25 inside. I love you and will try to pass on a smile thinking of you. Peace
Sorry to hear about Bapi’s passing, I only knew him slightly but he over all struck me as everyone’s friend in life and sometime more than just a here and there person you might encounter and knowing about his academic scholarship, I know you simply cannot judge a book by its cover in life.
Always smiling, funny, smart compassionate. A decent human being.
I’ve known Bapi since 1981, when we met at Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Neb. He was gorgeous! Bapi was my high-school crush, but he never knew until we re-entered each other’s lives via Facebook.
What a flirt! He had a naughty side that was so much fun! Our banter tended toward the risqué, which always made me laugh. His comebacks – and he always had good ones – told me he was laughing, too. He was a silly kid, not a 50-year-old man.
During one of or last chats, he asked, “Will you love me forever?” Me: “Forever and ever. Amen.” It was our typical banter, and he was his typical naughty self. I can live with that, hold on to it, and someday even laugh about again.
We were lucky to have him for as long as we did. My deepest condolences go to his family, and to his amazing family of friends.
I’ll love you forever. Amen.
My deepest sympathy and love goes out to Bapi’s family and never ending list of friends. Also, a gracious thank you to all who were involved in the planning and execution of his beautiful memorial. It definitely reflected who he was and the joy he brought to all of us.
I have been friends with Bapi for 20 years, and he has always been there for me. Memories flood in of his big, sincere smile, his heartfelt laughter, his generosity and of course, his countless selfies. He loved us all, and so many people loved him. I believe he loves us still, from a pain-free and peaceful place, where he will continue to watch over us. These tragic and unfair circumstances have served as a reminder to me to love more, live life fuller and to make more time for those who matter to me in this world.
Thank you Bapi, for your beautiful soul, your unconditional love and years and years of fond and happy memories I will cherish always. I miss you so much already. I love you, sweetie.
Hope all is well Bapi. Look both ways old buddy at the pearly gates.
Happy Birthday, Bapi! I miss you and think of the good times we had… the ones I can remember!
My dearest and best friend no matter if on Earth or in death and beyond!!! Called me “my favorite” and he was definitely “my favorite” too.
The most NON judgemental human EVER!!!
He was not self conscious and he did not care if you were dressed to the nines or the biggest bum in lounge clothes or the president of the USA or a homeless man on the streets down on his luck…. Bapi treated everyone with the same kindness and never did he treat anyone better or worse or judge them. I wish more people could have his heart and his soul and his understanding that everyone is a friend. As he always said “to have a friend, you must be one!”
Oh Bapi. I finally got in touch. Hoping to talk to you and see you after so long. What fun we had in high school. At the pool, zooming to all the parties. You were my friend and a great one at that. Fond memories of your little smile. Never a mean word. A heart full of joy, never judging always positive. The world was lucky for its time with you. I had hoped to continue our friendship. My disappointment is immeasurable. Love you so much.