Sharad Karkhanis, a political scientist, a librarian and a professor emeritus of Kingsborough Community College, has died. According to Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, Sharad will be cremated in accordance with Hindu law. At CUNY Sharad was the spearhead of resistance to union incompetence and corruption. He published a newsletter, The Patriot Returns, that he had snail mailed (paying significant mailing costs out of his own pocket); with the advent of the Internet, he emailed it to, he estimated, 13,000 CUNY faculty. His newsletter featured biting humor that more often than not induced out-loud laughter. Sharad pulled no punches in lambasting the Professional Staff Congress, CUNY's inept, corrupt, and extremist faculty union. At one point Susan O'Malley, a PSC officer, whom he crowned the Queen of Released Time because she spent little time teaching, sued him for libel (also here and here).
Sharad assembled a network of activists, both within and outside of CUNY, and he often served as a lynchpin for resistance to the PSC's bizarre initiatives. He was a supporter of Israel. As well, he attended the Ron Paul event in Manhattan with me and another friend in April 2011.
Sharad was a fighter who cared about what was right. He visited me at
my home in Town of Olive several times, making a long drive from Brooklyn. He was thoughtful
and generous.
Sharad, you will be missed. RIP.
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3 comments:
Sharad has a heart as big as the Grand Canyon. He was a true and loyal friend. He never blanched when he saw injustice or stupidity. He would stand up and shout justice from the rooftops.
My friend, you will be missed.
With tears,
Frimette Kass
Assoc. Prof. of Accountancy
Brooklyn College - CUNY
May my friend rest in peace. Sharad was a close and wonderful friend to me for the last 17 years. If it were not for him who encouraged me so to continue my education, I would not be where I am today. I am also most grateful for his taking care of my best friend. They were partners for more than 20 years. The three of us shared many laughs and sorrows over dinners and road trips. I will miss him so.
You will always be in my prayers,
Rosalie A. Fayad
Professor Karkhanis was an extraordinary man of great learning, profound wisdom, and unending integrity. I cannot believe he is no longer with us. We are much the poorer for that. He was one of the last of the "greats" from the Kingsborough Community College library where I first met him all those years ago. I only wish I had spent more time with him and spoken to him so much more. What a loss. He will be sorely missed by those who knew him well and respected and admired him for his wisdom, good humor, and sound advice.
Sharad, wherever you are, my mother and I miss you and will never forget you.
C.
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