Community support flooded in with a well-attended letter-writing event this past Friday, with notes scribbled on colorful paper. Friends remembered Rojit Raut, a freshman studying physics, who passed away on Jan. 29 from an illness.
Raut was an international student from Nepal who passed away at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
With a significant Nepali community at the University of Idaho, the loss of Raut brought those who had and hadn’t known him together. Nearly two dozen students and staff visited the International Programs Office on Friday to offer condolences and support.
Friends remember him as a fan of F.C. Barcelona and Monster Energy.
Raut’s roommate, Md Mehedi Hasan Himal, said that the two arrived at the university in the Spring 2022 semester. The pair hit it off quickly with their shared love of the Spanish soccer team F.C. Barcelona.
“I was wearing a jersey, so he asked me what team I support,” Himal said. “I told him Barcelona, after that we talked more than one hour.”
Himal added that they had talked at length about their dream of seeing the El Clásico matchup between Barcelona and their rival Real Madrid, a match that is widely regarded as the biggest in European football.
Razan Ahmed, a friend of Raut, said their friend group would take late night walks on campus chatting about their futures. According to Ahmed, Raut’s professional aspirations were decidedly anti-corporate.
“He said he wanted to be a scientist,” Ahmed said. “He said his goal wasn’t doing a normal (corporate job), he wanted to do research-related work. He was great at math; very intelligent and studious.”
According to Himal Raut was originally a computer science major and recently made the decision to switch to physics. One would be wrong, however, in assuming that Raut interests were rigidly scientific.
“He also loved taking about the supernatural, ghosts and that sort of thing,” Ahmed said.
Co-worker Saujan Jamkatel knew Raut through Idaho Eats. Well-liked by their coworkers, Raut had good communication skills in a busy workplace.
Himal said that Raut was particularly fond of trying new foods, always taking the opportunity to enjoy a different kind of treat whenever he had the opportunity to do so. With his particular tastebuds, Raut had acquired a fondness for Monster Energy drinks.
“Monster was his go-to drink,” Himal said. “He can drink Monster morning to night — all day. He used to come every day and give us a new Monster flavor (telling us to) try.”
His spontaneous nature also came through in his sense of humor, Himal said, a sentiment that was echoed by others at the gathering.
“He was always cracking jokes,” Himal said. “He was funny, so funny.”
Royce McCandless can be reached at [email protected] or Twitter @roycem_news
Roshan Raut
Rest in peace babu ❤️