"Nosh was known for his perpetual smile and love of good times. He had many interesting hobbies… His life was cut short in pursuit of doing what he loved,” read an obituary on Noshir Kaiki Medhora published by the Forest Park Funeral Home.
"One of the most beloved members” of the Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH), news of 69-year-old Medhora’s demise in a flying accident in Houston on July 13 came as a shock to the members, noted a write-up by Houston resident Yasmin Pavri. "To give you an idea of how well loved and respected he was, at the third day Sarosh (on July 15), three very young ervads prayed with the regular mobeds, without being asked — it was a seven-mobed sarosh nu patru,” reported Arnavaz Sethna who circulates Houston news within the community.
Flying a single engine Cessna aircraft, Medhora was alone in the aircraft when witnesses saw the plane descend rapidly. As reported on abc13.com, "The plane took off from West Houston Airport on Saturday but wasn’t in the air for long.” Around 10.30 a.m., the plane crashed into the pool maintenance building of the Mason Creek Community Center in west Harris County and burst into flames. Fortunately "no one was in the pool at the time of the crash though debris flew into the building upon impact... The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are continuing their investigation,” mentioned abc13.com.
Noshir Medhora (above and inset): passion for flying
A licensed pilot, Medhora loved to fly single engine planes that he rented from a hangar near Houston. "He enjoyed taking his friends for short flights over Houston and its surrounding areas. Everyone who went on a flight with him remarked that he was exceedingly careful as a pilot, refusing to take any risks,” stated Pavri.
Brother Dinyar remembered that Noshir who was born in Hyderabad "spent much of his young days away from home. After a relapse of typhoid, he was admitted to the Billimoria High School in Panchgani.” He then completed his Inter Science from Wilson College in Bombay before joining Walchand College in Sangli for a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering. "He was very proud of being the first student from Walchand to be admitted to Berkeley for a Master’s program” in Mechanical Engineering, mentioned Dinyar. Noshir later completed his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Houston. His first job was with the Igloo Corporation which was then owned by the Coca Cola Company. Over the years he worked for Bechtel Corporation, Exxon Corporation, ABB and was with The Woods Group at the time of his demise.
Having first met Noshir in Houston in 1978, Kelly Mama had fond memories of attending Noshir and Yasmin’s wedding in India that year and keeping in regular touch with them in Houston. The Medhoras have two sons, Neville and Ashdin. "Along with our other friends who also had children of the same age, we would get together almost every week,” stated Mama. Once the children grew up and they were immersed in their respective professions they would meet only occasionally at functions until recently when they began to get together more frequently.
"All the Medhoras have been very active members of ZAH. Once the ZAH Center was built, they adopted it as their second home and spent countless weekends organizing the kitchen, planning events and pursuing small and large projects needed for a well-run organization. They acted in various plays that were fundraisers for ZAH. Both Noshir and Yasmin were social animals and had their weekends filled with events with their innumerable friends. Always a thoughtful and caring person, everyone who met him found him easy to befriend,” recalled Pavri.
Those attending Noshir’s cremation on July 17 were requested by the family to send donations to ZAH in lieu of flowers.