Vivek Neil Yellore

Vivek Neil Yellore, age 51, passed away November 20, 2020 in Seattle after a brief illness. He  was born April 29, 1969 in Pune, India. He grew up there, in New Delhi and Baroda. He  attended The Bishop’s School in Pune and The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, where  he earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology. He went on to do postdoctoral research at the Jules Stein  Eye Institute, UCLA. He went on to work at Diagnovus and Aegis Sciences Corporation in  Nashville, TN, followed by Thermo Fisher Scientific in Fremont CA and Adaptive  Biotechnologies in Seattle WA. He is deeply mourned by his mother Mira, sister Ila, brother-in law Gautam, his beloved niece Anahita and extended family. He loved animals and spent many  hours at animal rescue shelters. He was a foodie with an incredible zest for life. Friends and  colleagues knew him as a gentle, kind soul with a naughty twinkle in his eye and an ever ready  smile.  

Here are some tributes from his sister and his friends from MSU, Baroda.  “Vivek, I lost my bestie, the one I knew inside out from the bottom of my heart. The one who  warmed the cockles of mine and who had the patience to stand by me during all our  expeditions to never land, my shopping trips and the mad mid night feasts we cooked up. The  hand I held when others teased you for being fat or the brats I bashed up who called you  names. The week he spent we us last July was the best in my life, visiting our old haunts and  visiting old churches, and talking till the wee hours. Stay right there in my heart and by my side  my small fry, I'm feeling so lost without you Vivi, I love you.” 

"Vivek was a MSU, Baroda graduate (BSc Zoology 1987-1990; Msc Microbiology 1990-1992). To his Masters batch-mates who remain close, Vivek or “Motu” as he was known, was their  sushi- loving, natto-crunching, anda-pav munching, nature-loving, scotch drinking, metal head,  rum-smuggling, biobooze-making friend. For this cohort, many of whom had lived outside of  home for the first time in their lives, he and his family (Ila, uncle and aunty) generously opened  their home in the centre of Baroda and the “batch" spent many joyous days chatting over  endless cups of tea, tasty snacks and sometimes, illicit liquor. His thoughtfulness and open  heart was evident in his volunteer work at the animal shelters and his sharing his knowledge of  the beautiful MSU campus. Quick with his laughter and smile, he made their experiences at  Tithal beach, studying for the infamous “rounds”and their tea-time at Kaka’s memorable. It  was the best of times and Vivek made a difference - his friends can only hope to carry within  themselves what came so naturally to him - his love for life and his ability to see the good in  everyone. He was and will forever be, their comrade and their brother-in-arms."

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.