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Arun Kumar Verma

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On June 16, 2025, Arun, husband to Pooja, father to Anya, Rohan, and Esha, brother to Chiku ( Sangita , Vanay and Evanee) and Manoj ( Neera,Ria, Nik), passed away with his last breath.

Arun was born the first child of Bimal and Des Verma in Kamloops, BC on March 3,1964. Growing up in Kamloops, Arun was active and exceled in volleyball, basketball, and soccer, playing at the varsity level in Volleyball.

Sports provided a compliment to his academic prowess as Arun academic excellence led him to continue his education at UBC. It was at UBC that Arun’s passion for learning and giving knowledge blossomed.

Arun initially earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and was following up with a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy. It was as this time that he realized a love for patient care and pursued an interest in Medicine. Arun’s pursuit of studying Medicine was cut short after being accepted into medical school in the summer of 1988 when he endured a spinal cord injury that created the first obstacle.

Arun’s resilience and strength coupled with the devotion from his family and friends provided the spark that allowed Arun to continue his journey in academics as he completed a hospital residency at St. Paul’s hospital.

 In spite of his physical limitation Arun was able to complete both his MSc and PhD in Pharmacy at UBC. Arun’s love for pharmacy and academics translated to his passion for contributing to the educational content in the PharmD program and courses that he designed in pain management and renal function. Arun established an annual interprofessional event that brought many UBC students from other professional faculties.

Through Arun’s commitment to his students and colleagues he was forced to endure countless episodes of health challenges. It is because of his tremendous inner strength and perseverance that he fought each battle not only with positivity but never yielding to self-pity.

Arun’s ability to nurture his students and prepare them for their careers and preserve through countless health challenges that accompanied his spinal injury never stopped him from providing a loving and nurturing household for his adoring wife and children.

Arun’s maintained that his greatest achievement was the opportunity to raise his children. On a daily basis his indomitable passion for life was infused into his family as he taught them to love sports and to become lifelong learners. It is impossible to describe Arun’s appreciation for Pooja’s dedication and love for him and his children’s commitment to him throughout his health journey.   His children, Anya, Esha and Rohan were his greatest accomplishments in his life.

Arun’s inner strength and excellence was exceeded by his kindness and humility. Such qualities only touch the surface that embodied Arun. The loss felt by his family will be tremendous but tempered with the acknowledgment that in one’s life we all had the pleasure of knowing Arun.

Many kind and self-less individuals, care givers, attendants such as Arthur, Joey, Jim, Caeser and others that continually helped contribute to easing the burden from Arun’s health limitations with a smile.

You will be missed but forever loved.


Tributes

Darryl Finlay
October 8th, 2025

I had the pleasure of serving Mr. Verma’s needs at a place I worked at in my past. He was one of my favourite clients. He was always polite and understanding with the flair of a true gentleman.

Darryl Finlay
October 7th, 2025

I had the pleasure of serving Mr. Verma’s needs at a place I worked at in my past. He was one of my favourite clients. He was always polite and understanding with the flair of a true gentleman.

JD Puri
August 11th, 2025

The man was a legend. I really appreciated my time with him. What a great guy and an amazing teacher to me at UBC. My favourite was our basketball conversations. I really will miss him. Condolences to the family. Please reach out if I can help in any way.

Maria Brites
August 5th, 2025
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My sincere condolences for the loss of this man who fought so hard for his life. Despite all the physical challenges, he achieved many great things. Gita was an exemplary wife and mother, always by her husband’s side with love and dedication. May God comfort the hearts of all the family members during this time of sorrow.

James Cadigan
July 9th, 2025

I have known Dr. Arun Verma to be highly accomplished and equally humble. His warmth and kindness were always very appreciated. His passing is a great loss for all the communities he touched. His legacy and contributions will doubtless live on for generations. He lived an example of a beautifully lived life. I will always remember him fondly. My deep condolences to his family and may his memory be your comfort.

Ronelle Roode-Brothers
July 7th, 2025

I was saddened to hear of Arun’s passing (through our mutual childhood friend, Glen.)

It had been many years since I last saw Arun but thinking back to our school days – Ralph Bell Elementary through to KSS/high-school graduation – I will always recall Arun’s incredible depth of intellect, kindness and his bright smile. Throughout our school years, I admired his academic achievements and was often inspired & motivated by insights he contributed to classroom discussions or group projects.

I know those who became his students, would’ve benefitted immensely from a man who not only would offer his greatest guidance & knowledge, but would also be a role model for the courage, grace and spirit, it would take to overcome and persevere, no matter what obstacles one might face.

Sending my heartfelt condolences to all his family – especially to Arun’s wife and children. And sending my heartfelt condolences to his brothers (whom I also grew up with in Valleyview/Kamloops.)

Ronelle Roode-Brothers
School-Years’ classmate & friend.

Liea Young
July 5th, 2025

I will always remember Arun for his wonderful sense of humour. He had a warm personality and my husband Pat felt privileged to work for him. Sadly my Pat is also no longer with us but perhaps now they are both in heaven discussing hockey and sharing a joke together.

Gail and Balbir Bains
July 5th, 2025

In Loving Memory of Arun

Arun,
We were blessed to meet you and Pooja through our dear friends Amarjit and Paul Bilin. From the very beginning, your warm smile and gentle presence left a lasting impression. It’s that beautiful, kind expression we continue to see in our minds when we think of you.

Despite the health challenges you faced, you carried yourself with remarkable grace and strength. Your unwavering positivity, your devotion to Pooja and your children, and your steadfast dedication to both your family and work, are a true testament to your character. You showed us all what it means to live with courage, purpose, and love.

Your loss is deeply felt—not only by your family, but by all who had the privilege of knowing you. You leave behind a legacy of resilience, kindness, and quiet strength.

We will forever cherish the memories of time spent with you.

Our heartfelt condolences to Pooja, Anya, Rohan, Esha, and the entire family.
May your soul rest in eternal peace.

Glen Favali
June 29th, 2025

Arun, you were a wonderful life long friend from the first day we met at Ralph Bell. We enjoyed many events together and challenged each other in sport and academics. You of course out performed me in most but the competition pushed us to greater levels and of course grew our friendship. Your accident, which could of halted your goals,just made you even more determined to reach them and beyond. You achieved so much and those that had the privilege of knowing you in the Academia of UBC were so very lucky. To Geeta and your three wonderful children you know that Arun was a beautiful soul and loved you so very much. He took pride in his family and all that you achieved. Arun was a GREAT person and I will cherish the time I got to spend with him and all his family. Rest in Peace friend you deserve it.

Walter and Judy Trkla
June 28th, 2025

Judy and I join the many friends who deeply mourn the loss of Arun Kumar Verma, a man admired and loved for his remarkable human qualities and unwavering courage in pursuing his intellectual and spiritual mission, even in the face of physical challenges. Arun’s profound contributions to his family and society through education, coupled with his ability to engage in deep, meaningful thought from a wheelchair, left both Judy and me in awe. His relentless determination was surpassed only by his devotion to his beloved wife, Pooja (Gita), and their children, Anya, Rohan, and Esha, who will carry forward his inspiring legacy. I had the privilege of knowing Arun as a student in Kamloops, and through his parents and extended family, he became a cherished lifelong friend to Judy and me. We recently spoke of reuniting during our next trip to Vancouver, making the news of his untimely passing all the more heartbreaking. Arun had so much more to offer, and his precious life was cut far too short. We will forever cherish the gift of having known him.
Our deepest condolences to Gita and all who loved him.

Daniel S.
June 27th, 2025

A highly intelligent, optimistic and caring man who always thought of his family above all else. Arun will be greatly missed but fondly remembered.

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