Vettivelu Maheswaran

Dr. Vettivelu Maheswaran had many cherished names during his 91 years, including “Dr. Mahe,” “Appa,” “Baby Paata,” “Mahes Mama,” “Chithappa,” and “The Most Adorable Thing Ever In The Whole Universe.” Always the life of the party, he had a twinkle in his eye, a rapier-sharp wit and a mischievous chuckle, all which reflected the magicof his charisma. He was unfathomably cute, kind, gentle, generous, brilliant, honorable, compassionate, and unceasingly hilarious. He needed his coffee boiling hot first thing in the morning, could perform surgeries dexterously with both hands, was a famed chef, and an award-winning gardener who once spent quite a bit on an ambitious underground basement garden that grew only one cucumber, thereafter known as the legendary “$8000 cucumber.”

"Dr. Mahe," as his patients affectionately called him, delivered more than 5,000 babies in his celebrated career. When he retired from his OB/GYN practice in Charles Town, West Virginia, after almost 45 years, then Governor Joe Manchin presented him with the state’s highest award for civilians, the Distinguished Mountaineer Award for lifetime achievement. Indeed, Dr. Mahe and his beloved late wife, Vasuki, were renowned for their selfless service not only to their extended families but to the numerous communities in which they helped and supported those who reached out to their ever-open hands.

Dr. Mahe was also Associate Professor at the West Virginia University School of Medicine where he was voted "Best Professor" every year until he voluntarily withdrew from consideration so that other professors could get a chance.

Dr. Mahe was an esteemed member of the West Virginia Board of Medicine, President of the Medical Staff at Jefferson Memorial Hospital, co-founder and first Director of the Jefferson Maternity Center and a volunteer at the Eastern Panhandle Free Clinic. He was a fellow member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Surgeons, and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Britain.

Born in Sri Lanka, Dr. Mahe graduated from Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore, India, in 1963. Dr. Mahe trained in the United Kingdom and in the United States at Saint Joseph Hospital in Loraine, Ohio, and the Lewis-Gale Clinic in Roanoke, Virginia. He also practiced medicine in Alberta, Canada, in the early 1970's where he was given several awards by the Mayor of Stettler and an entire region who were sad to see him leave to the United States.

Rarely has anyone ever been so cherished, loved, respected, and admired as our sweet father. He is survived by his two doting children, Meera and Murali; his adoring grandchildren, Eshan, Nesha, Chetan, and Tejal; his three loving sisters, Balayogini, Sivakumary, Jegatheeswary; his charming daughter-in-law, Vibha, and countless devoted nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He was predeceased by his equally adorable and adored wife, Vasuki, his much treasured son-in-law, Indran, his lovely sister, Kamaleswary, and his handsome brothers, Gnaneswaran, Yogeswaran, and Rajeswaran.

Rest in Peace, dearest Appa.