Iswar Prashad Maskey

In Loving Memory of Iswar Prashad Maskey

Iswar Prashad Maskey was born in a small farming village in Panauti, Nepal on May 6, 1935. He moved to Kathmandu, Nepal at an early age to attend school and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Geography. He also pursued a law degree, but eventually dedicated his time to full time employment in order to support his wife and growing family of four children.

He began his humble career as a high school teacher, teaching English and Geography. After a few years, he began a twenty-year career at U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) mission to Nepal, advancing from junior clerk to an executive position (Chief Administrative Officer) in his department. In 1979, he immigrated to the United States in pursuit of economic prosperity and educational opportunities for his children. He lived in New York, Washington, D.C., Iowa, Colorado, Maryland and finally settled in California. He worked in a managerial position at not-for-profit retail stores dedicated to providing necessary funding for disabled children.

There were only a handful of Nepali families in the San Francisco Bay Area at the time and he quickly formed close bonds with them. He was very proud of his heritage and had a strong desire to promote and bring awareness of his rich Nepali culture. Together with these families, he helped pioneer the first Nepalese organization called Nepal Association of Northern California (NANC) and served in various executive capacities of the organization. As new families immigrated to the United States, he often offered his guidance and expertise as they assimilated in this new country. He was well known and respected as an elder statesman in the local Nepalese community and was often invited to inaugurate Nepalese functions and festivals in the Bay Area.

During his years in retirement, he led a very active lifestyle and always kept himself busy. He was always eager to lend a hand at many Nepali cultural and social activities and did not mind traveling far distances to attend. He also filled his days with his love of gardening, growing vegetables, sharing his knowledge of gardening, grafting fruit trees (lemons, plums, oranges, apples, persimmons, figs and avocados), and sharing the fruits of his labor (literally) with families and friends. He also enjoyed connecting with friends and families near and abroad via Facebook and other social media, sharing pictures of his many social activities. He loved travelling and going on cruises with families on a regular basis. Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Alaska and Mexico were some of the favorite places he liked to visit. He enjoyed outdoor camping and also looked forward to going fishing out in the ocean with his son-in-law. During the COVID lockdown, he missed the outdoors so much so that he even set up a tent in his own backyard to enjoy nature.

He is survived by his wife Sumitra; sons Kishore, Kiran and his wife Peggy, and Rajesh; and daughter Suchitra and her husband Roy (Erdi). He was a loving grandfather to three grandchildren, Alan, Brandon, and Kaitlyn. He is also survived by a large extended family in the United States and abroad. He passed away peacefully on October 12, 2022 while listening to holy recitations and surrounded by his close family. May his soul rest in peace and guide us all from his new residence in heaven.

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