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Autar Singh Chhina

Date of Death: October 28, 2015

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Service
Sunset View Mortuary
Wednesday 11/4, 11:00 am
El Sobrante Sikh Temple
Wednesday 11/4, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Autar Singh Chhina was born in the city of Ludhiana, Punjab – India to Liaq Singh and Jaswant Kaur. He was the youngest of four children (siblings Ranjit Kaur, Uday Singh, Iqbal Singh). Autar attended Lyalpur Khalsa College and then Guru Nanak Engineering College (GNEC) in 1953. He was the first graduating class of GNEC obtaining a degree in electrical engineering in 1956.

Always ambitious and with larger than life goals, Autar was granted a student visa by the United States of America and set sail for a new land in 1956. President Dwight Eisenhower had initiated the Interstate Highway Program in that year and the country needed engineers. He landed in San Francisco in December of ’56 and enrolled in the University of Nevada, Reno in the Civil Engineering Program. Upon graduation from UNR, he started working for the California Department of Public Works Highway Division (also known as CALTRANS) in San Francisco in 1962. Autar was involved in the design, construction and maintenance of highways 29, 80, 101, 580 and 680. He briefly left the U.S. in 1964 to help in some engineering projects in his birth state of Punjab and then returned to New York to work for the Port Authority to start the first metering project in the U.S for the Lincoln Tunnel. Not liking the East Coast weather, he shortly returned to the Bay Area and continued his work at CALTRANS. In 1976, he joined the California Public Utilities Commission where he worked on railroad safety throughout the State. He also represented the CPUC for the California High Speed Rail Project. Autar retired from the State of California in 1997 capping off a 35 year career. Aside from his career engineering projects and accomplishments , he also designed and built two custom homes in El Cerrito (one in which his family still in lives to this day), participated in the design and construction of the El Sobrante Sikh Temple, and volunteered in the Public Safety Commission for the City of El Cerrito for over 10 years.

Autar is survived by his loving wife of over 46 years, Karmjeet and three sons Ivar, Mundeep and Rajdeep. He has 7 grandchildren : Natalia, Madeleine, Margaux, Isabella, Nathaniel, Harrison and Ava and two wonderful daughter-in-laws Joanne and Mandip. Post retirement he and his wife traveled the world and enjoyed spending time with their family. Autar lived a full life and left an enduring legacy – he will be truly missed by family, friends and loved ones.

In lieu of sending flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Autar’s name.

Service
Sunset View Mortuary
Wednesday 11/4, 11:00 am
El Sobrante Sikh Temple
Wednesday 11/4, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Autar Singh Chhina was born in the city of Ludhiana, Punjab – India to Liaq Singh and Jaswant Kaur. He was the youngest of four children (siblings Ranjit Kaur, Uday Singh, Iqbal Singh). Autar attended Lyalpur Khalsa College and then Guru Nanak Engineering College (GNEC) in 1953. He was the first graduating class of GNECContinue Reading

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Carolyn Lamb left a message on November 1, 2015:
Sent a gift in memory of Autar Singh Chhina
Harcharn Chann left a message on November 3, 2015:
Sent a gift in memory of Autar Singh Chhina
Keerat Wadyal left a message on November 1, 2015:
Lit a candle in memory of Autar Singh Chhina
Keerat Wadyal left a message on November 1, 2015:
Goodbye to whom who touched many throughout his life, by his warmth, listening skills, a genuine appreciation for life, his love and devotion to his family. As a new member coming into this family, in the new country, he always made me feel at ease and loved. The world right now feels emptier without him. The tears of his family and loved ones flow with overwhelming grief and unspeakable love. GOODBYE, Massarji!
Dr. and Mrs. Michael Stokes left a message on November 1, 2015:
Peace and blessings to the Chhina Family. We were honored to have Mr. Chhina and his family as our patients which started a beautiful, long-lasting friendship. With love and remembrance, The Stokes Family
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
sonia Bacheta left a message on November 4, 2015:
Lit a candle in memory of Autar Singh Chhina
Frank Silva left a message on November 2, 2015:
Farewell mr. Chhina. You and your family are in our prayers. Be at peace on your restful journey. -The Silva Family
inderjit Dhillon left a message on November 1, 2015:
Lit a candle in memory of Autar Singh Chhina
Sunset View Mortuary left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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