Gurudatta Singh Khalsa
August 3, 1953 – November 27, 2025
Gurudatta Singh Khalsa was born in Cleveland, Ohio on August 3, 1953. His name means “Giver of the Guru’s Gifts”, which he aspired to and lived by.
He was the eldest of 3 children. When he was 7, he and his family moved to Los Angeles for his father to grow his successful real estate business. Upon arrival, his father bought him a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball uniform and he remained a fan his whole life, which I carry on. A few years later, his parents divorced and Gurudatta moved with his mother and siblings to Hollywood Hills. He was an A+ student in high school, excelling in track & field and band, and playing the trombone. He was invited to play professionally in a jazz band but declined. He was a great music lover and had a broad, eclectic and sophisticated appreciation.
Gurudatta discovered Kundalini yoga in 1969 at a class in a park in LA and grew interested in learning more, so went to Guru Ram Das Ashram. He eventually moved into Adi Shakti Ashram and was roommates with Bhai Sahib Dayal Singh. They were affectionately called “the teenagers.” He embraced Sikh Dharma and was a devoted student and Gursikh. He was the overnight Sevadar at the Ashram and did many shifts on guard duty for the Siri Singh Sahib.
He worked at the Los Angeles Golden Temple restaurant for many years as Manager. Because of his dedication, Yogi Bhajan awarded him a ticket to India with the yatra. While in LA, he married and in 1978 had a son named Guru Karam Singh.
Gurudatta lived in Albuquerque and then the Bay area in Berkeley and then San Leandro. He worked for Akal Security at its very beginning and his badge was #32! Later he became a successful natural foods broker and enjoyed that for many years. He taught thousands of Kundalini Yoga classes and assisted in Teacher Training courses.
Unfortunately, his dear son died in 1999 at the age of 21. Gurudatta had a close relationship with him, traveling abroad together and seeing each other most weekends. His grief was deep and his love for Guru Karam never faded.
In February 2006, Siri Pritham Kaur and Prabhu Nam Kaur suggested to Sat Bachan Kaur that I meet Gurudatta. They told me about him and soon after that he and I spoke on the phone. I felt at ease with him and realized I did not have to be anything other than myself! We met a month later, got engaged and married on May 28, 2006. He moved to New Mexico to be with me and became a loving father to my son then a teenager, Himmat Singh. He worked for KRI for 18 years as Sales and Marketing Manager and Product Development. You might have met him at the KRI booth at Summer and Winter Solstices and other events. We truly enjoyed each other’s company and spent almost every day together. He lived with great integrity and honor.
Gurudatta was always kind, gracious, and loving. He deeply appreciated all the teachings of Kundalini Yoga and was uplifted daily by the practices of Sikh Dharma: banis, kirtan, Gurdwara and seva, always smiling while serving in Guru’s beautiful bana.
On November 27, 2025, Gurudatta read in the Akhand Paath and ended his day with Kirtan Sohaila, then died quickly at home with me holding him and chanting Wahe Guru. He had been under medical care for the congenital heart issues he was experiencing. I know this departure was Guru’s blessing, as he merged into Joti Jot’s infinite light swiftly and robed in honor. Each day, I marvel at his depth, unconditional love, self-awareness and generosity and feel his spirit with me, something I had not felt before. I am realizing that sorrow and love are very closely woven together.
Gurudatta Singh leaves us an example of how to live life with courage, depth and grace even through tragedy and misfortune. I am honored to be his wife and soul partner in this earthly journey and beyond.
Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh. In gratitude.
Gurufateh Kaur Khalsa, April 5, 2025.
