
Tariq Malik

The measure of a life is found in the lives it touches
Obituary
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our colleague and friend, Tariq Malik. This is heartbreaking news, and we know this loss is felt most deeply by those who had the privilege of working closely with him and knowing him well.
Tariq was truly one of a kind—a valued team member, a trusted colleague, and one of the brightest people many of us have had the privilege to know. His presence made a lasting impression on everyone he encountered. He was not only integral to our team and this company, but also a genuine friend to so many.
Known for his warmth and social spirit, Tariq had a remarkable ability to connect with others and bring people together. He touched the lives of countless colleagues, leaving behind memories of laughter, insight, and camaraderie. The 33rd floor will feel much quieter without him.
Tariq will be deeply missed, but his impact will continue to be felt through the people he inspired and the relationships he built.
In his honor, we raise a glass—Double Tito’s and soda—to celebrate his life, his friendship, and the joy he brought to all of us.
- Matthias
Memory wall
As a long-term friend of the family, I've known Tariq since he was born and had the pleasure of seeing him grow into the extremely accomplished professional as well as the very kind, caring, outgoing and respectful individual that he was. He brought a warm smile and ready laugh to his interaction with others. Always helpful, he generously offered assistance whenever it was needed, whether a car ride or help with AI searches.
Simply put, Tariq was a beautiful human being, both inside and out, loving and devoted to each of his family members and to the many good friends he had made in different places over the years. In more recent times he had become an uncle and was enthusiastically dedicated to this new role. Equally touching, he was loved and admired by those who knew him, as evidenced by the hundreds who paid their respects to the family in the weeks following his passing. May Tariq's memory be a blessing to all and may he rest in eternal peace.
To know him was to be touched by his spirit — his laughter, his warmth, the way he made everyone around him feel seen. He was not just a nephew; he was a source of joy, pride, and love in our family.
We hold close every memory, every moment shared, every story that keeps him alive in our hearts. May he rest in the peace he so deserved, and may those who loved him find comfort in one another.
Forever in our hearts. 💙
Tariq was my first cousin, and his loss at the young age of 41 was a shock that left a deep void in our hearts — one that will be very difficult to fill.
Tariq was a friendly and warm-hearted person. His helpful, positive, amiable nature made people feel comfortable around him, and his genuine kindness earned him friends in every place and every stage of life.
Professionally, Tariq was doing exceptionally well in his career and made us proud.
I personally remember the times when I needed help, and Tariq was there for me. In 2012, 2013, and 2014, when I was working on my book in economics, Tariq helped me edit and type my work. He also helped me put my book online when I was struggling to find someone who could assist me, and his support became truly invaluable. These memories remind me of the kind of person Tariq was — always willing to help, always ready to lend a hand, and always present when he was needed.
Although it had been a long time since I last met him in person, I always looked forward to our phone conversations whenever he visited his parents. We would always share moments that I will cherish forever — serious, heartfelt conversations.
Tariq’s untimely departure at the age of 41 is felt deeply, not only by his family, but by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Tariq was a loving, kind, warm, and ambitious person. We will miss his presence, his friendship, his sincerity, and the sense of support he brought into the lives of those around him.
He was taken from us far too soon, and his absence will be felt deeply.
Rest in peace, dear Tariq. Your memory will remain beautiful and painful because we lost you too soon.
I was deeply shocked and profoundly saddened to hear the news of Tariq’s sudden passing. What a brilliant mind gone entirely too soon.
I had the privilege of hiring Tariq onto our Advanced Analytics team back in 2018. From the moment he joined us, it was clear he was someone truly special. He was incredibly bright, exceptionally hardworking, and an absolute joy to collaborate with. Tariq possessed a rare combination of intellect and humility, earning the genuine respect and trust of everyone around him almost immediately.
What I will always remember most about Tariq was his grace under pressure. In a demanding field, no matter how intense a project became, he maintained his focus and an effortless cool. He never lost that trademark warm smile that could brighten anyone's day.
Tariq was not, and is not, easy to forget. Though his life was far too short, he touched so many of us and left a life-lasting impression. He will be missed immensely by his colleagues and in every single circle he was a part of.
My heart goes out specifically to his mom, dad, family and his close friends. Please know that Tariq’s legacy of kindness, brilliance, and warmth will live on in the hearts of everyone who had the honor of working alongside him.
Rest in peace, Tariq. You made a true difference while you were here.
I will always remember when I was getting treatment for a life threatening illness,how both my nephews Azeem and Tariq (then aged 12 and 10) made me smile and laugh at their playful antics and pleasant demeanor. It made life so much easier.
With time our meetings became less frequent but we always knew what was going on in each other's lives.
Tariq grew up to be a smart,caring and helpful young man.
His passing has come as a rude shock. It really struck hard.
His absence will always be felt.His memories which bring a soft but very sad smile to my face will always be cherished. May God bless his soul and give his parents and brother great strength. May their remembrance of him be of the good times they spent together.

I still remember him as a little boy, full of warmth, energy, and affection. I had the privilege of watching him grow from a baby into a fine young man. Through the years, what always stood out was his loving, kind and gentle nature.
As his eldest cousin and more a brother, I will always cherish the memories of family gatherings, laughter, conversations, and the special bond. It is hard to believe that those memories are now all we have, but they are memories that we will treasure and remember forever.
Reading the beautiful tributes from his friends and colleagues makes me proud, because they confirm what our family always knew—that he wad a special person who touched the lives of many. The respect, affection, and love people have for him speak volumes about the man he became.
He left this world far too soon, leaving behind the love that will not be forgotten.
You will always remain in our hearts.
He was one of a kind—exceptionally smart, calm under pressure, thoughtful in every interaction, and deeply attentive to the people around him. He earned the respect of colleagues across the organization and became a true cornerstone of the Strategy team.
While Tariq will be profoundly missed, his influence will continue to be felt for years to come. The work he helped shape, the people he mentored, and the example he set are all part of a legacy that will remain woven into this organization forever. We are better because he was here.
I feel incredibly grateful to have known and worked alongside him. His impact won’t be forgotten.
He had a rare ability to show up for people in a way that truly mattered. He looked out for each of us, offered steady support, and focused on making each of us successful. He cared about what we actually thought, not just what needed to get done, and that made him someone you trusted without hesitation.
Many of us joked about his role as the “newscaster.” He was always quick to share what he knew, but it was never for gossip's sake. It came from a genuine desire to keep people informed, connected, and included. He wanted everyone to have context, to feel prepared, and to be part of the broader picture. That instinct reflected who he was at his core - thoughtful, generous, and deeply invested in those around him.
Tariq built relationships everywhere he went. Whether it was stepping in to solve a problem, offering perspective, or simply checking in, he made people feel supported. It was effortless for him, but it meant everything to those on the receiving end.
His absence leaves a gap that cannot be filled, not just in the work we do, but in the way we showed up for each other because of him. He made our team stronger. He made us better.
Our hearts are with his family and with everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be deeply missed, and he will not be forgotten.
When such a big part of your life and time is spent at work, coworkers feel like family.
Tariq, I still can’t believe you are gone. What a tremendous loss for us. Wish we could have one last happy hour, but we’ll pour one out for you. It was a joy to know you and to call you a friend. You will be so missed. Rest in peace.
It didn’t take long to realize that behind that energy was someone truly special — an incredible colleague and mentor. Tariq was always the first person I went to when I needed advice. He gave it to you straight — honest, thoughtful, and without hesitation.
He brought a level of passion to his work that was impossible to ignore. Beyond the work, I’ll always remember the countless happy hours and drinks we shared at the Exchange. Those moments, the laughter, and the conversations will always be remembered.
Tariq wasn’t just a colleague — he was a true friend. He made a lasting impact on so many of us, and he will be deeply missed.
Being around him made you want to be sharper, better, more informed than you were the day before. It did not matter if the conversation was about pop culture, telecom, AI, or something completely random. Somehow, he always knew more, thought faster, and saw around corners in a way that was hard not to admire.
I had the privilege of working with him even before coming into Corporate Strategy, and the truth is, he was one of the biggest reasons I wanted to find my way here. No day was ever the same on a project with him. He challenged you, stretched you, and somehow made the work better every single time. He had a way of raising the bar for everyone around him.
But beyond all of that, beyond how brilliant he was, he was just a deeply good human being. So generous with his time, his energy, his presence. A trip to the Exchange with Tariq was never just a quick stop… it meant a drink, a conversation, a laugh, and somehow a moment you would remember afterward. That is the part that feels especially hard right now. The laughter, the walks, the casual conversations, the way he made this group feel connected - those things will stay with us long after any of us are here and through the rest of our lives. We really have lost a huge piece of the heart of this team.
Tariq, you will be an “A+” forever in our hearts, my friend. The world is a poorer place without you.
Rest easy, bhai. Amin.
Your intelligence, and amazing personality will be always cherished.
Anytime I got a random Teams message or text from him, I knew I was about to be pulled into his latest whirlwind idea. Yet I always looked forward to hearing what he had cooked up, eager for feedback and (loud) debate.
And who can forget that laugh that got deeper as the evening wore on. I’ll miss the after-work chats and the times he'd tell a story, even though he had already told us the same thing a few days before – I'd listen to them again, because hearing them never got old. Most of all I'll miss our friendship.
Tariq, you are deeply missed and I am grateful we got to know each other. I wish your family and loved ones peace. Rest easy, my friend.
Even though he picked things up quickly, he was never content with superficial knowledge. Tariq would go deep on topics, analysis, technology to make sure he understood it to his high standards. Then I’d see him speak confidently, going toe-to-toe with experts in their field – industry luminaries – we would jokingly say.
More than anyone I’ve seen, Tariq would always take the time to help someone, no matter who, no matter how busy he was, no matter how much it wasn’t his job. Sometimes this meant making joke to help a person feel better, sometimes this was hours of work to ease someone else’s burden.
I’m sad to be writing this; sad that we are all missing out on more time and more laughs with a wonderful person who made everyone better around him.
During my time in Corporate Strategy, I’d arrive early most mornings to a quiet, mostly empty floor. And there, right next door, was Tariq. In those early hours, before the day got loud, we’d talk about work, about life, about everything and nothing. And when the day finally wound down 10+ hours later, he was still right next door. Those long days at the office often bled over to the Exchange, where the conversations only got better. Those moments, the early mornings and the late nights, became some of the most meaningful of my career, and I didn’t always realize it at the time.
We collaborated on more projects than I care to count, and what I remember most isn’t the work itself, it’s how Tariq made the work feel. He always set the standard incredibly high while elevating everyone around him and making you want to rise to the standard he set. His insights had a way of cutting through complexity and making things suddenly, almost effortlessly, clear.
But beyond the work, he was just a genuinely good person. Warm, funny, unfiltered in the best possible way. He had a rare ability to genuinely connect with people. His presence made the floor feel alive.
Tariq, I still catch myself picking up my phone to call or text you when I’m on the road. I’m so grateful our paths crossed, that we got to do good work together, and that I got to call you a friend.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Tariq had a great sense of humor and would make everyone laugh. Some of my favorite memories include our time planning TAC together, where we met all sorts of fascinating people, including a billionaire who showed up to work in pajamas. I loved how he made his rounds on the floor each day, coaching each team member and making them smile. And of course I will miss all the times we went out to celebrate our successes!
We have lost a truly remarkable person. Tariq will be deeply missed! Rest in peace, my friend.

Fly high, my friend, and rest in peace. May your memory continue to bring comfort and smiles to all who knew you.
Even after we moved into different roles across AT&T, we stayed in touch. We talked regularly, and he was always someone I could count on for honest advice and perspective. Many of our conversations influenced decisions I made throughout my career.
Tariq was incredibly smart, but what stood out most was how genuine he was. He cared about people, he was always willing to help, and he never pretended to be someone he wasn't.
There was a spot where we'd often stop and talk, and I still think of him whenever I pass by it. Sometimes I catch myself looking over, expecting to see him there. It's a small thing, but it reminds me how much I miss him.
I'll miss our conversations, his advice, and his friendship.
My thoughts are with his family and everyone who loved him.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un
(Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we return)
Rest in peace, my friend.

He cared deeply about his work and even deeper about the people he worked with. To say he will be missed will be an understatement.
He worked harder than anyone I knew, and somehow, he was still the one laughing the most. He was relentlessly curious and ferociously smart. He graded our work, literally, because he believed we were capable of better; and under him, we were. He pushed every one of us to think bigger, sharper, more strategically, and he made it feel like a gift, not a critique.
He knew everyone at AT&T, and everyone knew him; that wasn't politics, that was Tariq actually caring about people. A lifelong learner. A great communicator. A quiet advocate for humanity in a world that doesn't always reward it.
I keep half-expecting to round a corner and find a kernel of popcorn that means he just walked through. May his memory be a blessing to his family and to all of us who had the privilege of working alongside him.
As Maya Angelou said, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Tariq had a way of not only making everyone around him feel seen and valued but also leaving them lighter-hearted through his wit and humor.
I am so grateful to have known and worked with Tariq over the past few years. During our time on the Strategy team together, he would occasionally talk about opportunities elsewhere. Every time the subject came up, I would tell him - plead, almost - to stay: "It will be too boring without you." And indeed, it is. The 33rd floor will never be the same.
We miss you every day. I wish your loved ones peace and comfort in your legacy. Rest in peace.
If the world is a stage as Shakespeare said, I oftentimes wonder what kind of impression are the characters in our life making on us while we’re watching the plot of our lives unfold. Some characters will be around on stage for only a short period but will make such a positive impression that you will fondly reminisce about them the rest of your time in the theater. Others might hang around for a long time, only to not leave any sort of lasting impression on us whatsoever – positive or negative. In my play of life, I put Tariq in the former category.
Rest easy, brother! May Allah make it easy upon your parents and loved ones. May your memory be a blessing to them and all those who knew you, as it is for me.
Amin!
Rest in Peace
But what stood out even more to me was who he was as a person. Tariq was the life of the party. He made 33rd floor an enjoyable place, and he was always my favorite person to talk to at happy hour. His wit and sense of humor could turn any normal day into a good one. No matter how busy things got, he always found a way to make me laugh. He had a gift for lifting people up with just a few words, and those small moments meant a lot.
I will always remember how Tariq connected with those around him. He made a lasting impact, and I will miss him deeply. Rest in peace Tariq.
Rest in Peace
I admired Tariq's ability to set such a high bar for the team and for himself. I found myself constantly wanting to do better work to rise to the caliber that he'd set. But as hard as he worked, and as insanely talented as he was, what I will carry with me the most is how he made us all laugh and find some enjoyment even in the stressful moments. His presence is missed deeply.
Rest in peace, Tariq.
I’ll always remember hearing that goofy laugh from across the floor. We’re all better for having spent time with Tariq, and he will be deeply missed.
Throughout his remarkable career, Tariq played a pivotal role in historic initiatives that shaped the landscape of human innovation, leaving an indelible mark as time unfolds. His generosity, dedication, and unwavering support benefited countless people. With Tariq’s passing, we have lost not only a friend but also a leader, mentor, coach, and a passionate lifelong learner.
The depth of loss I feel is immeasurable. Over the past decade, we worked together on numerous projects, navigating different roles at AT&T and forging a connection that transcended professional boundaries. Tariq was someone with whom I could engage deeply across many dimensions. His kindness, brilliance, and humanity were truly extraordinary, and I will always be grateful for the privilege of calling him a friend.
In honoring Tariq’s memory, I am committed to celebrating all that we accomplished together and carrying forward his legacy of collaboration, optimism, and continuous growth.

Tariq had a rare genius for making everyone feel seen, heard, and connected. I will miss his guidance, his brilliant mind, and his camaraderie more than words can say. Rest in peace, my friend. Raising a glass to a life incredibly well-lived.

