University Mourns Loss of Two Community Members

Alumnus, former GW parent among those who died at Navy Yard.

September 18, 2013

Navy Memorial

Flowers left at the U.S. Navy Memorial in honor of the Navy Yard shooting victims.

Alumnus Gerald “Jer” Read, M.A. ’90, and Vishnu “Kisan” B. Pandit, parent of two alumni, were among the 12 people killed at Navy Yard. 

“We were deeply saddened to learn that two members of our GW family were lost in this tragedy,” said GW President Steven Knapp. “On behalf of the George Washington community, I send condolences to the Read and Pandit families and ask that we keep them in our thoughts and prayers.”   

Mr. Read earned a master’s degree in sociology from the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. He lived in Alexandria, Va., and worked as an information assurance specialist with the Navy Sea Systems Command, according to news reports. He is survived by his wife, daughter and three grandchildren.

Mr. Pandit’s two sons earned degrees from GW. Siddhesh V. Pandit, B.S. ’02, graduated from the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and Kapil V. Pandit, M.S. ’06, earned a degree in project management from the School of Business. An engineer, Mr. Pandit lived in North Potomac, Md., and was employed by the U.S. Navy. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a grandchild.