Syed Abulbar Rizvi passed on peacefully a few minutes ago in his sleep on February 15, 2026, at 9:44 pm in New York. He was 92 years young, a pioneer and first in his immediate family to migrate from India to the United States.
An academic, an engineer, an inventor, and a lifelong animal activist, Syed was, above all, a kind-hearted naturalist who believed that all living things deserve an equal, respectful place on this planet. He was one of the founding members of the world-renowned organization PETA and was steadfast in campaigning, protesting, and advocating for a rational, ethical, empathetic, and compassionate approach (not just treatment) towards animals.
“I gave my heart to those who cannot speak — the animals who share this planet with us. I have stood steadfast for their right to live free from hardship, for them to be seen, and above all - for them to live with dignity. In their eyes, I saw innocence; in their suffering, purpose. In the time I was given, I gave what I could to the animal rights movement for their liberation, and hopefully to build this world where compassion and empathy extend beyond our own species. Animals are voiceless, and therefore it rests in us humans to be their voice, to be their champions, to make the world understand the suffering and pain they go through every minute.”
In his professional life, Abulbar Rizvi was devoted to the beauty and precision of physics, to the wonder of discovery, and to the creation of technology meant to serve, illuminate, and uplift. In the laws of the universe, he found both truth and humility. Though he was involved in many groundbreaking advancements that have revolutionized the world, he never sought fame. His only humble goal was to contribute to the vast tapestry of human understanding of the universe.
As he looked back at his life, he did so without regret — only with gratitude for the journey he was given, the lives he touched, and the truths he pursued. He always lived with purpose, guided by wonder, by reason, and by compassion.
When asked what message he might want to give to the future generations, he said only one word: “Compassion!”
He led by example and let his humble life stand as a quiet testament: that knowledge matters, that kindness matters, and that to live fully is to give yourself away — to truth, to love, and to the world.
“I did not seek perfection, only progress. I tried to make a difference — to leave this world kinder, more awake, and more just than I found it. If I succeed in even a small way, I feel fulfilled. This life was a gift, and I lived it fully. I sought to understand, to protect, and in the end to return to the vast and loving mystery from which I came.”
No regrets. Only gratitude. Only love. 
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