Pankaj Das Obituary
Pankaj was born in Kolkata, India to Susama Paul Das and Upendra Nath Das. After earning his PhD in Electrical Engineering in 1964, he took a position as assistant Professor at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, now New York University Tandon School of Engineering. In 1968, he joined the University of Rochester, then in 1974, he became a Full Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.
He taught at RPI for more than 25 years, advising many Doctoral Students, researching lasers, optics and semiconductors and publishing many scientific articles and 3 books on those subjects. Pankaj became a Professor Emeritus upon his retirement from RPI and moved to the University of California at San Diego, California where he continued to teach electrical engineering, publishing scientific papers, and advising PhD students for nearly 20 years.
Pankaj was always an adventurous man who had a passion for travel. He traveled and taught nationally and internationally. A lively, creative person, always up for adventures and visiting new places, meeting new people and sailing around Lake George, Hudson River and San Diego Bay.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia Van Kirk Das, his children Andrea (Mitchell) and Joshua (Jennie), grandchildren Rachel, Anna, and Gabriel, his brother Pranab (Binata), sisters Priti and Lilly, nieces Barna and Progga as well as many other nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his sister Asru Das Nandy.
Cremation has taken place through the care of Simple Choices, Inc.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Das Family, online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Kenneth Fu
July 22, 2025
RIP Professor
Andrew Steckl
November 6, 2023
I recently learned of Pankaj's passing earlier this year. Pankaj was my PhD advisor at the University of Rochester. We both arrived the same year (1968), he as a young professor and I as a young grad student. He introduced me to the exciting world of research and because of his mentorship and enthusiasm I never left it. Eventually, we became facultycolleagues at RPI and spent time together both on and off campus. I visited Pankaj and Ginny many times during those days in upstate NY and later in San Diego. Always had great times and dinners together talking research, people we knew, travel, etc. I will miss him !
M. Nurul Abedin
March 14, 2023
The beloved Professor Pankaj Kumar Das was my Ph.D. thesis supervisor and my mentor. As a graduate student in the Physics department at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, I worked with Prof. Das in the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering (ESCE) as a Research Assistant from 1985 to 1989 on different types of semiconductor materials, characterization, and analyses using a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) device.
Around Thanksgiving break, Professor Das always showed concern for his international students, and he used to invite all his students to attend the Thanksgiving dinner at his home. His wife, Ginny, prepared a turkey dinner for the students and their family.
I last spoke with Dr. Das several years ago, when he was a professor at the University of California, San Diego. My family and I pray to God for his soul and for Mrs. Das´s good health. I will never forget the kindness he presented to me and other international graduate students at RPI.
Dr. M. Nurul Abedin
Senior Electronics Engineer
NASA Langley Research Center
Hampton, VA
Gary Saulnier
February 15, 2023
Pankaj was a wonderful mentor, colleague, and friend over the last 40 years. He was always full of great ideas, big plans and endless enthusiasm for whatever project we were working on. And, of course, he was always more than willing to get a beer when our work for the day was done. He was generous, warm and friendly and had a great smile. Pankaj was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.
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Dan & Dianne Litynski
February 14, 2023
Dianne and I are saddened to hear of Pankaj´s passing. He was a mentor, colleague, and friend for almost fifty years. Pankaj was always positive, encouraging, full of ideas, and adventuresome in work and at play. We will always remember great research discussions and initiatives. We will never forget our sailing the Hudson River and times at Lake George. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ginny and family at this time of loss.
Bonnie & Roger
February 12, 2023
We loved spending time with Pankaj and Ginny whether it was on the boat as seen here are at our various homes. Roger often quoted Pankaj's simple saying to most things "It doesn't matter.". He will be missed. Our condolences to all of Pankaj's family.
Dilip Chakrabarti, a friend of his brother Pranab.
February 12, 2023
A very talented professor with a brilliant mind yet so humble. May God bless his soul. He will be missed by all whoever knew him.
Snigdha Chakraborti
February 11, 2023
Pranabda,Binata we are so sorry to hear about the passing away of Pankajda. Our sympathies and condolences for your family. May his soul Rest In Peace. Boudi and Dilipda
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