Ashutosh Vyas

Ashutosh (Aash) Vyas, 85, longtime resident of Upper Marlboro, MD, peacefully passed away on November 7, 2021 in his relocated home town of Scarborough, ME. Aash was born in Sitapur, India on September 14, 1936. He married Jaya Oza on March 28, 1956 and shortly after came to the United States to pursue a graduate degree in Social Work at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Aash was a passionate advocate for those struggling with mental health.In 1981, he founded Vesta Inc., focused on providing comprehensive services for vulnerable clients with psychological needs and mental illness.Aash worked diligently with lawmakers in D.C. to help pass the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. Before the ADA, people with physical and mental disabilities did not have many avenues for resources or legal protections. At his retirement, at the young age of 79, Vesta had grown to 7 locations throughout Maryland, helping thousands of people. As an ardent defender of those with disabilities throughout his lifetime, Aash was honored with a lifetime achievement award in social work and also had The Ashutosh Vyas Rehabilitation Center, in Oxen Hill, MD named after him. To Aash, every person had value. He could walk into a room full of strangers, and leave with a room full of friends! For Aash everyone was worth connecting with and once you were his friend, you had a very loyal and generous friend. He always had a joke or story to tell to keep people engaged and laughing. Aash also loved to fish and cook! He was an avid fisherman, who loved the ocean and fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. He also loved to share his culinary creations with others. For entertainment, he loved flying kites, photography, and painting with watercolors. For sports he loved Washington football, and boxing. Aash loved mystery and crime shows like Perry Mason, Colombo, Diagnosis Murder, and Monk. He also loved Andy Griffith and the art of Bob Ross. But most of all, he loved being a husband, father, and especially a grandfather. He loved to spoil his grandkids with Indian treats and ice cream. Ashutosh Vyas is preceded in death by his father Prahlada Vyas and his mother Somi Josi Vyas, brothers Pravin and Pramod, and sister Puthma. He is survived by his wife Jaya; children Archana Neidermyer and her husband Jim; Ajay Vyas and his wife Julie; grandchildren Liberty Vyas, Alayna Neidermyer, Alexia Vyas, Julia Neidermyer, Kassidy Vyas, Jayce Vyas and Lincoln Vyas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to South Portland Church of the Nazarene to support its compassionate work in Maine. Ashutosh Vyas’s family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, and the South Portland Church of the Nazarene for their support and loving care.

Ashutosh Vyas

September 14, 1936 - November 7, 2021