Rohan Gattu Chandra

Rohan Gattu Chandra, 43, died on August 23, 2026. Born March 13, 1983, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Rohan moved with his parents and older brother to Virginia when he was very young. The family quickly put down roots, was blessed with the birth of a younger brother, and would call the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area home for the rest of Rohan's life. Rohan's early years in Virginia were spent exploring neighborhood backyards with his brothers and friends and playing just about any sport he could. From an early age, his athleticism was remarkable. Whatever sport Rohan took on, he seemed naturally good at it. He possessed an uncommon combination of speed, ability, ferocity, and competitive spirit that was difficult to match. That competitive fire never really left him. It became part of the confidence and determination with which he approached nearly everything he did. As he grew up, Rohan's school years brought him into a variety of communities and introduced him to people with different backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and approaches to life and education. Those experiences helped shape his curiosity about people and the world around him and laid part of the foundation for the person he would become—someone who could walk into almost any room, find a connection, and make his presence felt. Rohan later continued his studies at West Virginia University, where he carved out a place for himself in Morgantown and built friendships and connections that would endure long after his time there. The charisma, boldness, warmth, and genuine care for others that would define Rohan throughout his life were already unmistakable. He had a way of drawing people toward him, and many of those who entered his life as friends eventually became family. That ability to connect with people was at the heart of who Rohan was. He was a friend to all, with an open heart for anyone who needed him and open arms for anyone who needed comfort. He was caring, charismatic, intelligent, determined, and fiercely loyal. When Rohan cared about you, you knew it. He also carried himself with unmistakable confidence and optimism. Rohan rarely encountered a challenge he didn't believe he could face or an opportunity he wasn't willing to pursue. He was never afraid to put his hat in the ring, try something new, or imagine something bigger for himself and the people he loved. He believed deeply in what the future could hold. That confidence was matched by an intense curiosity. Rohan loved to talk. Deeply opinionated and an intellectual at heart, he seemed capable of having a conversation about almost anything. He immersed himself in different subjects, developed strong ideas about them, and was more than happy to explain exactly how he arrived at those ideas. A conversation with Rohan could become a lengthy exploration of whatever happened to be on his mind, filled with enthusiasm, knowledge, conviction, and his own unmistakable perspective. For all the different roles Rohan played in people's lives, however, perhaps none meant more to him than being a father. He adored his sons, Naelyn Chandra and JalilNaveen Chandra, and wanted nothing more than for their futures to be bright, open, and filled with opportunity. He gave them his time, his energy, and his love, and he was willing to work himself tired if it meant giving his boys what they needed to succeed. His hopes for them were limitless because, to Rohan, so was their potential. Fatherhood was at the center of Rohan's life, but his sense of family extended far beyond the one into which he was born. Throughout his life, he created a found family and a remarkable community around him. He brought people together, supported them, guided them, and encouraged them to support one another. Many knew they could turn to Rohan when they needed someone in their corner. That community is part of what he leaves behind. Every life Rohan touched during his far-too-brief time with us carries something of him forward. He made people feel welcomed. He made people feel supported. He made people feel loved. There was a warmth to Rohan that people could feel simply by being around him. Those who loved him will miss his charisma and enthusiasm. We will miss his confidence, the conversations, and, yes, the opinions. We will miss the unmistakable swagger with which he could walk into a room and immediately make his presence known. Most of all, we will miss the warmth, love, and generosity he gave so freely to the people around him. Even when Rohan carried troubles of his own, he rarely wanted them to become someone else's burden. Instead, he tried to give others his warmth, his strength, his optimism, and his care. Rohan was deeply beloved. Although his life was far too short, the community he built and the lives he changed will endure. Rohan is survived by his father, Ramesh Chandra; his mother, Kiran Chandra (Grewal); his brothers, Runjit Chandra and Chetan Chandra; his aunt, Pooja Chandra Pama; and his beloved sons, Naelyn Chandra (20) and JalilNaveen Chandra (8). A private cremation and ceremony will be held by the family, after which Rohan's ashes will be returned to the earth. His presence will be profoundly missed, but the warmth he gave to so many will remain.

Rohan Gattu Chandra

March 13, 1983 - August 23, 2026