Ashok Prabhakar

His Story, Among the Stars

He spent a career reaching for the stars — literally. A brilliant rocket scientist with an endlessly curious mind, he was fascinated by how the universe worked and never lost the joy of learning. He could explain complex ideas with remarkable patience, then immediately follow them with the world's most unapologetic dad joke. He was as quick to make people laugh as he was to make them think.

An avid music lover, his record collection was legendary, spanning continents and generations. Whether it was the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, or Jagjit Singh filling the room, music was always playing somewhere nearby. He could be just as delighted singing along to "Satisfaction" as he was quietly moved by the poetry of a ghazal.

He was the beloved husband of Shashi Prabhakar, with whom he shared a remarkable marriage that celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. He was a proud father to Rohini Kukreja, Shivani Prabhakar Kaul, and Amit Prabhakar, and proud father-in-law to Ashish Kukreja, Vikram Kaul and Rosie Lipin. To his four grandchildren — Riya Kukreja, Krish Kukreja, Ashiana Zila Prabhakar Kaul, and Sitara Laxmi Prabhakar Kaul — he wasn't just Nana Ji. He was their playmate, teacher, biggest fan, and gentle protector. He helped raise them, celebrated every milestone, and somehow always found the energy to get down on the floor to play one more game.

Retirement never really suited him. He would 'retire,' then find another project, another challenge, another way to stay busy. He returned to work, became a leader of his HOA, embraced pickleball and tennis several days a week, and loved to garden. He believed there was always something worth learning, fixing, building, or improving.

Those who knew him will remember his kindness, his generosity, his wisdom, and his ability to make everyone around him feel welcome. He approached life with curiosity, humor, humility, and a deep belief that every day was an opportunity to keep growing. He will be profoundly missed — but the best parts of him remain in every story retold, every record played, every burst of laughter at a dad joke, and every grandchild who carries forward his love and wonder. He spent his life reaching for the stars — we'll think of him every time we look up at the stars, and he'll live on in our hearts forever.