Philip Vijay Dorsett, who owned and operated a custom car audio business, ended his life Jan. 15. The former Baltimore resident was 44 and lived in Glenn Dale in Prince George’s County.
Born in Chicago, and raised in Baltimore on Wickford Road, he was the son of Dr. Thomas and Dr. Nirmala Dorsett, who are both physicians.
“We were looking all over the place to adopt a child. A social worker told us that there was an infant in Chicago,” said his father. “We appeared before a judge in Chicago and brought Philip to Baltimore. The nurses at the Department of Health gave us a party. I was director of school health at the time.”
His mother said, “He was outgoing and was empathetic to people. He cared about all his friends and was happy.”
Mr. Dorsett attended Friends School of Baltimore from pre-kindergarten until he graduated in 1999. He earned a bachelor’s degree at the Savannah College of Art and Design. He specialized in industrial design.
Mr. Dorsett began working at the Tweeter Home Entertainment Group and the Audio Connection in Parkville.
“He kept sophisticated audio equipment in his car and in the home,” his mother said.
“He had extraordinary mechanical abilities and was an excellent worker,” said his father. “He was a talented, compassionate and kind-hearted person.”
Mr. Dorsett founded Dorsett Designs on Crain Highway in Bowie. His website said he offered state-of-the-art custom sound systems for autos.
Mr. Dorsett connected with his birth sister, Tina Frundt, several years ago through Ancestry.com. He also located his birth mother.
“When we connected, we were nervous, at first,” Ms. Frundt said. “But we found we had an instant connection. We talked almost daily.”
“He had the biggest heart,” she said. “He loved animals and they took to him. He fostered a blind dog for friends and liked to keep dogs for other people. My dog stayed with Philip and jumped right in bed with him.”
Mr. Dorsett was an accomplished cook and prepared Thai, Indian and Vietnamese meals.
Survivors include his parents, doctors Thomas and Nirmala Dorsett, both of Baltimore.
A gathering was held at the Mitchell-Wiedefeld funeral home Wednesday.
Have a news tip? Contact Jacques Kelly at jacques.kelly@baltsun.com and 410-332-6570.