Shafi Ahmed

Shafi Ahmed departed this earthly realm too soon on April 21st 2023.  Shafi was born in Columbus, Ohio on December 5th 1975 to the late Marsha (nee’Faulkner) Ahmed and the late Mohammed Ahmed. Shafi was a beloved brother, uncle, cousin, nephew and friend. Shafi attended Bishop Watterson High School and graduated in 1994. He was active there in track and football. Shafi was a very bright student and was blessed with an intellect far beyond his years. He remained close to his classmates and was lifelong friends with many of them over the past three decades. Shafi attended the Ohio State University, and was a very proud Buckeye. His passion for Buckeye football past, present and future could hardly be overstated. We all spent many days and evenings strategizing with Shafi for big games and imagining what the future might look like as he keenly followed the football recruiting scene every day. Like many Ohio State fans, it could be said that Shafi had a part time job “coaching the Buckeyes” on a regular basis. Shafi was a passionate music lover his entire life. He was introduced to the Beatles and John Lennon at a young age and from there his sense for finding the sublime in lyrics, rhythms, melodies and harmony flourished. In his young adult years he became an enormous fan of Pink Floyd.  He was drawn to the story of Syd Barrett, a founder of the band and a troubled genius in his own right.  Shafi was a philosopher, theologian, general science buff and he was deeply passionate about astronomy.  Shafi was a voracious reader.  He was a learned person who could talk intelligently for hours on topics as diverse as Buddhism and the latest breakthroughs in genetic science. Most recently he became fascinated with discoveries of the James Webb Space Telescope. Shafi always imagined himself as a space traveler even when his feet were planted here on Earth. Shafi is survived by his loving sisters Theresa Eddy and Tarah Lee Lutman who provided an immeasurable amount of love to him over the years, and his brother in laws Scott Eddy and Chris Lutman. He is survived by his nephew Dustin Thompson and niece Kiersten Helsel, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. A special word of gratitude is included here for Anjum Delaney, Shafi’s loving cousin, with whom he was very close for his entire life. Shafi is survived by a large extended and loving family in southern Ohio, Florida and India. The family wishes to thank all of Shafi’s doctors and the professionals who cared for him. The nurses, the social workers, the paramedics and the first responders who treated him with respect and compassion always. The family requests that the community of readers consider Shafi’s untimely death an inspiration for each of us to work daily to improve the mental health system in the United States. In small ways every day we can each make a difference by raising awareness of this disease, promoting volunteerism and getting involved at the legislative level to make broad social improvements.  Shafi will be buried at the Union Cemetery in Columbus Ohio near The Ohio State University campus that he loved so much.  There will be a small private graveside ceremony.  The family requests any donations in memory of Shafi be made to: https://nami.org/Home