Dr. K.C Das

1933 - 2022

DAS, Dr. K.C, On Friday, December 16, 2022, Dr. Khirod Chandra Das "KC" passed away at the age of 89 in Richmond, Va. He was born on Saturday, June 3, 1933, in Orissa, India and was one of five children. In a family consisting of an architect, lawyer and veterinarian, K.C. Das pursued his passion in environmental engineering, earning a Ph.D. at Purdue University on a Rockefeller Foundation Scholarship. Over the course of his career, he held numerous senior level management positions at the Virginia State Water Control Board (later named the Department of Environmental Quality), including Director, Regional Director, Director of Administration and Special Programs and Director of the Office of Superfund Program. In his last position, he served as the Director of the Office of Science & Technology, where he advised Virginia's first Secretary of Technology on formulating research and development policy for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Early on in his career, K.C. Das served as visiting associate professor of engineering at the University of Virginia and a lecturer at Virginia Tech.

In addition to his professional career, KC had a passion for tennis which led him to be both a line judge and chair umpire for professional men's tennis tournaments. Not dissimilar to his professional career, he quickly rose through the ranks to be a chair umpire at the 1984 French Open. He also had a keen interest in state-wide politics, hosting a number of fundraisers for Virginia gubernatorial candidates. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Daya; his two sons, Prakriti and Shaswat; and three grandchildren, Maya, Sachin and Ayesha. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, December 19, 2022, at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Road, Henrico, Va. 23229.