Ashok Shankar Patwardhan

Ashok Shankar Patwardhan, a beloved family member, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Friday, February 27th, 2026. Born on July 21st, 1937, he was 88 years old at the time of his passing. In accordance with his wishes, the family will hold a small service in his memory in South Carolina, followed by a scattering of his ashes.

Ashok is survived by his wife, Shaila, their children Aarati (married to Peter, with children Sarah and Christina), and Amod (married to Pegi, with children Maxwell, Claire, and Lauren), his brothers Vinay, Ajit Kumar, and Vivek, their families, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Family was of utmost importance to him and he sponsored each of his brothers’ families migration to the US. He also sponsored his parent’s migration to the US during their elder years. His absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him.

Ashok was born in Nagpur, India, as the eldest son of Shankar and Prabhavati (Kamal Laxman Khare) Patwardhan. He was raised in a loving home in Nagpur and graduated from Patwardhan High School in 1952. Subsequently, he pursued higher education at the Institute of Science in Nagpur, graduating in 1954. Ashok then went on to study engineering at the Engineering College of Jabalpur, where he earned his degree in 1958. He further advanced his education by completing his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kharagpur in 1960.

Ashok married Shaila (Ghangurde) on May 11th, 1961, in Mumbai, India. In 1962, the couple embarked on a journey to Moscow, Russia, in search of Ashok’s Ph.D. at Moscow University, USSR. He successfully completed his Ph.D. in 1964 and subsequently returned to India. Upon his return, they settled in Bombay, where Ashok dedicated his career as a professor of Civil Engineering and Geophysics at IIT Bombay.

In 1972, Ashok relocated his family from India to the east coast of the United States. They were sponsored into the US by Dr. Bapu Gokhle and his wife, Meena Gokhle. Ashok began his long career as a consultant at Woodward-Clyde Consultants. Over the next 25 years, he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a Principal and President of the company. His role took him across the globe, where he managed and oversaw projects on every continent. After Woodward-Clyde, Ashok and his brother, Vivek, ventured into the travel business together.

Ashok’s life was defined by his selflessness and unwavering commitment to helping others without any sense of ego. He founded several charities, including The Foundation for Understanding and Enhancement (FUNEN). Through FUNEN, he collaborated with local, federal, and international agencies to provide invaluable aid to the communities they served. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the establishment of KEM Hospital in India, working closely with USAID to secure funds for its construction. Additionally, he collaborated with USAID to deploy mobile hospital vans, bringing essential healthcare services to remote villages in India. Closer to home, Ashok worked with city and county agencies to establish computer labs in homes and implemented a program that provided work clothes to underprivileged women, empowering them to dress appropriately for job interviews. As the leader of FUNEN, Ashok received numerous accolades, including letters of commendation from the head of USAID and the Governor of California, recognizing his exceptional charitable contributions.

Ashok and Shaila, a couple who shared a passion for travel, embarked on numerous adventures together. They explored the vast landscapes of National Parks and ventured into the diverse countries of Asia and Europe. Their lives were spent in Concord, California, with several years spent on the east coast in New Jersey. Eventually, they returned to Concord for the remainder of Ashok’s professional career and into retirement. Later in life, they relocated to South Carolina to be closer to their daughter.

Throughout his life, Ashok nurtured a wide range of interests and hobbies, even into his senior years. As an avid gardener, he meticulously tended to the plants, lighting and landscaping at the homes in California. He also taught himself to cook, with Shaila’s invaluable guidance, and developed a fondness for making lobster bisque and butternut squash soup. His love for his grandchildren was evident in his efforts to teach them magic tricks that delighted them. He always had a joke or a funny story ready for anyone who visited.

Ashok’s love for reading was evident in his voracious reading habits. He would send snippets, articles, and cartoons from The New Yorker to his friends and family via the postal mail. His passion for wine-making led him to learn the art of viticulture and plant a vineyard of 60 plants. He delved into the intricacies of enology, wine chemistry, and bottling, eventually producing over 400 bottles under the “Chateau Lantz Vineyards” brand.

In retirement, Ashok embarked on a journey of self-discovery by compiling and writing his memoirs, which he shared with his children.

Ashok was cherished and respected by many throughout his remarkable and captivating life. His absence will be deeply felt by his friends, colleagues, and family, and he will be fondly remembered for his unwavering love and contributions.