Dhanprasad Purshottamdas Shah

In Loving Memory of Dhanprasad “Pravin” Purshottamdas Shah (1933–2025)

Dhanprasad Purshottamdas Shah—affectionately known as Pravin and lovingly called Pappa—passed away peacefully at the age of 92. Born in 1933 in Halol, Gujarat, and raised in Nashik, he was one of nine children—he had five sisters and three brothers—who grew up surrounded by love, laughter, and learning. From an early age, Pappa’s deep curiosity about the world and his boundless sense of wonder began to shape the course of his remarkable life.

After completing his schooling in Nashik, he earned his law degree from Fergusson College in Pune, an institution known for its ties to India’s independence movement. Perhaps it was there that his spirit of exploration and independence truly began to flourish.

In 1960, Pravin married the love of his life, Ansu Gandhi. Together, they built a partnership rooted in love, laughter, and shared adventure. In 1971, they immigrated to the United States, first settling in San Francisco before making their home in Gaffney, South Carolina. There, they raised their children with the same curiosity and courage that guided their own journey—meeting the challenges of a new country with optimism, grace, and an unshakable sense of purpose.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Pravin was also a lifelong adventurer. His passion for travel began in his youth, when he journeyed across India with a camera in hand, capturing timeless scenes of the Taj Mahal and the vibrant spirit of the country he loved. That same spirit carried him around the globe: gliding in a plane over Pune, riding camels in Morocco, parasailing in Phuket, snorkeling along Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, and even realizing his dream of stepping foot on every continent—culminating in a trip to Antarctica just before the pandemic.

Curiosity was his constant companion. A proud Brother of the Masonic Lodge in Nashik, Pappa later turned his attention to the mechanics of the world around him—studying trade and engineering, fixing things, and often improving them in the process. Even as he faced Parkinson’s disease in his later years, his sharp wit, inventive mind, and gentle humor never wavered.

Above all, family was the heart of Pravin’s life. His beloved wife, Ansu Shah, his two children, three grandchildren, and extended family were his greatest joy and his source of strength. He greeted every day with gratitude, optimism, and a drive to keep learning—reminding those around him that age need never limit curiosity or joy.

Pravin taught by example that adventure has no expiration, that curiosity keeps the spirit young, and that love and family are life’s truest treasures. His laughter, wisdom, and wonder will continue to inspire all who knew him.

As we celebrate his extraordinary life, we remember a man whose adventurous heart filled our world with joy and light. May his journey continue among the stars, and may we honor him by living with the same courage, curiosity, and love that guided him every step of the way.