Ashvin was born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on May 16, 1939, the first son of the late Jayantilal and Nirmala (Mehta) Chudgar. He came to the United States in 1961 to study textile engineering at North Carolina State University, where he received a master’s degree. He took his second master’s in business administration from Fresno State University.

After his education, he came to Pennsylvania to work in research and development in the Textile Machine Works division of Rockwell International. Shortly after moving to Reading in 1967, Ashvin attended an evening mixer at the YMCA, where he met Ginny Moll, daughter of the late Conrad and Roze (Casner) Moll. After a prayer-filled and thoughtful courtship, Ashvin and Ginny were married in the chapel at Alvernia College on June 1, 1968. They were married for 43 years, until his death temporarily parted them.

Ashvin is survived by Ginny and two sons, Justin, husband of Leslie Zane, in Weed, CA, and Neil, of Saint Paul, MN; by his brothers, Kiran, of Louisville, KY, and Amit, of Birmingham, AL; by three nieces and three nephews; and by many loving and beloved friends.

Throughout his professional career, Ashvin contributed to the textile industry in Berks County. After leaving Rockwell, he worked in other textile concerns until he founded his own company, Keystone Hosiery Mills, Inc., of Reading. Many will remember him for the unparalleled excellence of the socks his factory produced.

After Keystone Hosiery closed, Ashvin turned his attention to photography, a longstanding passion. He was permanently attentive to beauty, finding loveliness in unsuspected places. He often turned his camera to record the patterns of color and light in the centers of flowers. His photographs have been exhibited widely across Berks County, and their beauty endures at ashvinphotos.com. These images show how he viewed the world. It would please him if you took a moment to enjoy them.

According to Ashvin’s wishes, his traditional Hindu cremation service will be private. Though he disliked funerals, Ashvin loved to entertain, so his family will be hosting a memorial open-house instead of a viewing. On Saturday, Feb. 18, between 1 and 4 p.m., those who loved him are invited to visit his home in Spring Township. There will be light refreshments, displays of Ashvin’s photographs, hugs, tears, smiles, and many happy memories.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Akshaya Patra Foundation USA, a program that provides school lunches to children in India; or to Mentors for Berks Youth, 106 W Lancaster Avenue, Reading, PA 19607.

Published by the Reading Eagle on Feb. 15, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Ashvin Chudgar

Dear Chudgars,

I was so sorry to just moments ago hear of our loss and that we missed Saturday’s opportunity to connect and share happy memories with many neighborhood friends. We send our deepest sympathies and will continue to keep you all in our prayers.

Cathy Fennell, February 21, 2012

To the family of Ashvin. I met Ashvin a few years ago at the Body Zone. We spent many early mornings going around in circles, both walking the track and discussing the topics of the day. Some things we agreed on and some we disagreed, but his friendship made those mornings pass quickly. A man of vision and integrity, he is missed.

Joe Schaeffer, February 20, 2012

Dear Ginny, Neil and family, Our sincerest sympathy in your loss. You are all in our hearts and prayers.

Pramukh & Deena Patel, February 20, 2012

Dear Ginny and Family,
I just read online of your family's loss. Please accept my sympathies. May your warm, loving memories sustain you...

Brenda Winkler, February 20, 2012

Dear Ginny Aunty, J, and Neil,

I am so sorry to hear that Ashvin Uncle has passed on. You all were so wonderful to our family when we lived in Reading. I was very young when our families would meet, but I know you were our close friends. I always wondered how you all were doing and hoped for the best.

I will never forget our parties we had at your house and how one day Ashvin Uncle decided to make homemade ice cream for us in the basement. I thought that was so creative and it was something I had never done before. I still have never done that, and I am 35 now. It was the best ice cream ever that I can remember.

We have very warm memories of our time together and I wanted you to know that.
Much love and peace to you all at this difficult time.

Love Always,

Simone Tehsildar Kakar and Family, February 17, 2012

Dear Ginny,

You have been in my constant thoughts and prayers, and while I am positively heartbroken by the loss of a true gentleman and gentle spirit, I am also relieved that his suffering is over. Your descriptions of his time at the hospital were very difficult to read and imagine, both for his sake and for yours.

When I told Aidan that his special friend "Ashbin" had gone to heaven, he looked so sad and said, "I sure will miss him." Yes, I sure will miss him, too.

Hoping to be able to stop by on Saturday to see you and hug you and take part in the celebration of an extraordinary man.

Much Love and God's Peace to you, dear Ginny.

Sallie Mercer, February 16, 2012

I was so sorry to read the news in the paper. That tribute was very moving and I learned some things about your family. I still have some notecards I purchased from the show at the high school. I am praying for all of you.

Nancy Poole
February 16, 2012

To the family of Ashvin- many of us at Vanity Fair Outlet remember Ashvin as he would be there bright and early . He was a wonderful man full of kindness and wisdom. He will be missed by many such as Pauline Follmer , Loretta Kostick and myself.

Connie Ramsey
February 16, 2012

Ginny,

So sorry to read of your husbands passing. My husband and I sat across from you at our last class reunion. You had your yearbook with you and we mentioned Peggy Molets. I emailed her in case she does not get the newspaper.

Kathy Higo, February 15, 2012

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Ted and Jen (Wolf) Perezous, February 15, 2012

To Ashvin’s family, You don’t know me , but I had the wonderful gift of knowing your Ashvin from Body Zone. I use to see him every morning working out and always admired him for his friendliness toward everyone. He will be greatly missed by everyone, including me for he’s raidiant smiling spirit. It is so great to know that you will see him again someday. My deepest sympathy for your loss.

Donna Bowers, February 15, 2012

Hi Ginny: We were so sorry to hear about Ashvin. Please accept our deepest sympathies and condolences at this time of loss. We think of you two often and how we spent time together while we were in PA. I still have photos that Ashvin took of the boys and I will always remeber the party you had for us after we became Citizens of USA and coming to vouch for us as witnesses. We had a good friendship. Hope you are doing OK. You are in our thoughts.

Arati and Janak, February 15, 2012

Offering a deepest sympathy during this time. He will be in our prayers. we will always remember his smiling face and warm greetings whenever we met him.We pray God will bless him and give strength to his family in this difficult times.

Harnish and Sonal Shah, February 15, 2012

Ginny, you have my deepest sympathies for you and your family.

Myrna Fuchs, February 15, 2012

Ginny–my deepest sympathy to you at this sad time.

Ellen H, February 15, 2012

Dear Ginny and Family,

We are deeply saddend by the news of Ashvin’s passing. As your neighbors on Sherwood Rd., we would like to offer our assistance, should you need it, by bringing ‘light fare’ for you to serve at your Memorial Open House. Please contact us by phone if this would be helpful during your time of grief.

Kristie & Matt Zielinski, February 15, 2012

Offering our deepest sympathies during this time. He will be in our prayers. May God bless his soul.

Kirtida & Trilochan Bhatt, February 15, 2012

Offering our deepest sympathies during this time.

The Staff of Giles & Yeckley Funeral Home, February 14, 2012