Monday, May 19, 2025
Kamal Nand was born to James Bechan Satya Nand and Parbha Wati Kalidarn in Tavua, Fiji, on June 16, 1944. His father was the Superintendent of Education for Fiji and his mother was a homemaker. Kamal and his siblings grew up on a farm in Tavua, tending cattle, farming sugarcane, and riding horses.
As a young man, Kamal grew into a notable scholar and athlete, studying French and Latin. Kamal scored top five in the nation for his Senior Cambridge levels at Marist Brothers High School. At 6’2,” Kamal’s height and physical strength helped him excel in soccer.
Sadly, Kamal’s mother died when he was 17 years old. After that loss, Kamal attended the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. After completing his degree at Otago, Kamal returned home and became a chemistry teacher at Suva Grammar High School. There, he met the love of his life, Nayantra Devi Shandil. Kamal courted Nayantra for two years before she agreed to become his wife on December 12, 1976. They had their first child, Arleen Ashika Nand, in 1978.
In 1979, Kamal and Nayantra immigrated with Arleen to Seattle, Washington. They then relocated to New Iberia, Louisiana, in 1982. Kamal taught chemistry at Jeanerette High School and Nayantra taught biology at Loreauville High School. The family soon had their second child, Jenna Jotika Nand, in 1984.
Kamal taught chemistry and later math at Suva Grammar High School (Fiji), Jeanerette High School (LA), Chief Sealth High School (WA), Denny Middle School (WA), and Ingraham High School (WA) for over 45 years.
Kamal was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2010 and was told that he only had two years to live. Because of his caregivers, wife Nayantra, daughter Jenna, and adopted son, Rob Gariepy, Kamal outlived that initial death sentence by over 13 years.
His family hopes that Kamal is remembered for his kind, fearless, and mischievous personality, his love of his family, gentleness with animals, playing tennis, coaching soccer, and his magnificent enjoyment of life. He was a consummate gentleman and a pillar of the local Fiji-Indian community.
Preceded in death by his father, James Bechan and his mother, Parbha Wati.
Kamal leaves to mourn his wife Nayantra, daughters Arleen and Jenna, adopted son Rob Gariepy, along with numerous family members and lifelong friends who adored him during his eight decades of life.
