MADISON - Victor Anand Lazarus was born on Feb. 28, 1976, to Judy and Paul Lazarus in Hartford, Conn. On Sunday, March 17, 2024, he died of congestive heart failure in Athens, Greece.

From Hartford, the family moved to Enid, Okla. where most of his maternal relatives lived. He was delighted to have a little brother, Michael, but Michael died during heart surgery at three months of age.

The family then moved to Hickory, N.C. where he started violin lessons and elementary school at age 5. After six years there, he went to school in Peekskill, N.Y., Hackley School in Terrytown, N.Y., middle school and high school in Yorktown, N.Y. and then graduated from Greenville High School in Greenville, Texas in 1993. He received a scholarship in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas in Austin.

The summer after graduating from high school, he took a trip to India to meet and visit his father’s relatives. After a year of studying electrical engineering, he decided he was more interested in learning about the culture and languages of India, so he switched his major to Eastern Studies.

Three years later he went back to India, visited relatives and traveled throughout Asia staying in ashrams and a Buddhist monastery. At some point he took a hike and ended up in China without a tourist visa. The Chinese police detained him while the American Embassy helped to free him and had him sent to Bangkok. Victor also traveled in Europe and the Middle East. While in Nice, France, he played his violin on the streets for income.

He decided to finish college and got his degree in 2012. He did more traveling until his heart gave out. A hotel manager found him in his room.

Victor is survived by his mother, Judith; aunts; uncles; and cousins in India and the United States. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Shantraj Lazarus; and brother, Michael Raj.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761

Victor Anand Lazarus

February 28, 1976 - March 17, 2024

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