Harjap Singh Riyait

Harjap Singh Riyait, born August 28, 1937, in Punjab, India, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025, in Clarksburg, Maryland. Harjap was an accomplished engineer and educator and highly respected by his peers and students. He began his 15-year teaching career at Ramgarhia Polytechnic College in Patiala and later moved to Chandigarh to continue teaching. In 1972, he made a consequential and courageous decision to move to Washington, DC, where he established his engineering career that spanned over four decades, and the fruits of his labor are on display across the greater DC area. His dream for a better life in America went beyond his immediate family. Over the years, he facilitated the immigration of many extended family members to offer them greater opportunities, and he became a close friend and wise confidant to countless people. The friends he and his wife made when he first arrived became and remain an extended family to them. He was a strong pillar of the Indian Sikh community, where he was held in the highest regard. He showed his deep passion with Waheguru by reciting kivatas (poems), including those written by father, at the various Sikh celebrations at the Gurudwaras. He was sought after for his ability to deliver the kivatas with great passion and resonance. He was deeply influenced by his parents, especially his father's poetry, wisdom, and spirituality, and guided by his unshakable Sikh faith. He lost his parents far too early in life, and took on the duty of looking after his sisters. That experience also affirmed his future role as an exceptionally devoted husband and engaged father. He was a wise, hard-working, compassionate man with a broad outlook on life. He made everyone feel special, his smile was infectious, and his capacity to care was boundless. He brightened lives everywhere without effort. Harjap was the devoted husband of Satwant Kaur Riyait for 63 years, who was the light of his life. He was also the loving father of five children, Manpreet (Mona) Babra, Gurpreet (Kiti) Worrell, Rajni Saund, Simran Maxwell, and Charanjit (Rippi) Riyait, and he welcomed their spouses (Dave, Rajinder, Kevin, David, and Gurnoor) with open arms. He is survived by ten grandchildren (Rachel, David Jr., Manjot, Upjot, Angadjot, Preetcharn, Siena, Sophia, Samira, and Aikem) and eight great-grandchildren (Daniel Jr., Gregory, Connor, Keaton, Traeger, Jayden, Amar, and Thomas), who miss him dearly. Harjap will be remembered for so many wonderful things, but especially his dedication to his family, his community, and his faith. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 21, 2025, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at March Life Tribute Center, 7601 Sandy Spring Road, Laurel, MD 20707. This will be followed by Antim Ardas and Guru Ka Langar at Guru Nanak Foundation of America, 12917 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider making a donation to the Guru Nanak Foundation of America.

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Harjap Singh Riyait

August 28, 1937 - July 16, 2025