Hey Grandpa.  Over six years ago you gave me a bottle of some of your favorite Cognac.  And for over six years nothing has meant enough for me to justify opening this bottle.  However, today I am sitting here sipping on a very fine drink.  I am celebrating.  I am celebrating every moment that I ever had with you.  I am celebrating all that you left behind.  For one, you left behind a big group of survivers, all across the world!  If your family, friends, and myself especially ever had to survive anything, it was a lifetime of unending love from you.  You have blessed us with deep and meaningfull conversations.  You have blessed us with your amazing laughter.  It's unmistakable and speaks nothing less than your love for life!  You have taught us the importance of sorrow, and how to have a good cry with some sad music.  You have taught us the importance of family, friendship, love, and forgiveness.  I have met some of the most amazing people because of you.  Thank you Grandpa for all your love.  It's enough to last a life time.

Miguel

It has been such a privilege to work with Yuri and also so fortunate to have Yuri as my mentor. To me, Yuri has been more than a brilliant scientist and a great man, but also like a father and dear friend. When I joined KSU almost five years ago, Yuri immediately started to meet and discuss data mining research with me. Working with him has been such a joyful ride since then. His mind never settled on the ordinary questions. He always challenged me to think the big pictures, the deeper questions, and search for the problems which can potentially make a difference in the real world. He liked to ask the hard questions and enjoyed to discover new angles to approach them. Yuri showed me and taught me how a great scientist should work!

In the meantime, Yuri's mentorship has went much beyond the research. As I become so used to consult with him about almost anything, Jing joked Yuri is my “Oracle”. Lately, Yuri began to keep reminding me I should plan to have children soon (In Yuri's words “You guys should start a family now”.) Yuri and Pat have also brought Jing and me into their extended five-generation family, with whom we have so much fun together!

Yuri was also particularly interested in China. His experience in USSR naturally drew his interests to China. He was so intrigued by China's modern history and today's development. We had so many wonderful pre- and post-dinner discussions on the east-west economical, political and religion systems. Yuri's mind is always open to the infinite possibilities and often can settle the heated debate with a sense of humor: “Your are right, he is right and I am right”.

We miss you so much, Yuri!

Ruoming and Jing

All Yuri's friends send their deepest condolences to his family.

We will always remember you, Yura.

Maximov's family (Paris, France), Stein's family (Moscow, Russia),Alexander Yugov's family (Berlin, Germany), Dr. Alexander Andreyewsky, PhD (Arlington,VA)