Priya Sen

Dr. Priya Ranjan Sengupta was born in Chittagong (Chattogram), then British India, to Jatindranath and Porimalbala Sengupta. He grew up in a musically gifted family, where he played guitar and developed a lifelong love of music. He also enjoyed soccer and often shared stories from his childhood with warmth and humor. Throughout his life, he encouraged his children to explore music, art, and creativity, just as he had.

He graduated from Dhaka University and pursued advanced studies in fuel technology engineering in Bihar. He later worked as an engineer for the Central Government of India, a job he adored which took him all over the country. He loved to recount tales from these early engineering days, where his work brought him to Bihar, Kanpur, Kolkata, Chennai, and many other places. He cherished these experiences and shared them often with his family.

In 1976, Dr. Sengupta immigrated to the United States, settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While working in the power plant industry, he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University. He later pursued his doctorate at New York University, receiving his Ph.D. in 1998

Dr. Sengupta worked as a chemical engineer with the New York City Fire Department from 1982 to 1989, and then with the NYC Department of Design and Construction from 1989 until his retirement in 2010. Over nearly three decades of public service, he contributed to numerous projects throughout the city, specializing in environmental, geotechnical, and sustainable energy initiatives that left a lasting impact.

Retirement did not slow him down. He returned to his first passion, teaching, and spent the next chapter of his career as a professor of Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. He taught at colleges across New York City and Long Island, including Cooper Union and NYIT, and remained in the classroom until just three months before his passing. His students admired not only his knowledge but also his patience, generosity, and dedication.

Above all, he was a dependable husband, father, and friend. He was fiercely loyal and deeply caring, never hesitating to stand by the people he loved or to offer help when it was needed. His integrity, generosity, and quiet strength touched everyone who knew him. He will be remembered as a man of intellect, music, service, and unwavering devotion to his family.

Dr. Sengupta is survived by his wife, Shiuli Sengupta, daughters Tanushree and Debashree Sengupta, grandson Kiran Mitra, and extended family in Kolkata, Chittagong, Pennsylvania, and California, along with a wide circle of relatives, colleagues, and friends who will carry forward his memory with pride and affection.