Dr. Desiraju Bhavanarayana Rao

Dr. Desiraju Bhavanarayana Rao  
Dr. Desiraju Bhavanarayana Rao, fondly known as D.B. Rao, a pioneer in the field of physical oceanography and noted for groundbreaking scientific advancements throughout his long career, passed away on December 17, 2017, in Hyderabad India. Born Dececember 8, 1936, in Visakhapatnam, AP, India to parents D. Sriramulu and D. Hanumayamma, Dr. Rao is survived by his wife, D. Padmavati Rao; his daughters, D. Pramila Rao and D. Kavitha Rao; and his granddaughters, Samiha and Haiden.  D. B. Rao graduated with a Masters and Ph.D. in Geophysical Sciences from University of Chicago, and held a Masters and BSc in Meteorology and Oceanography from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India, where he was also captain of the cricket team.  Prior to becoming the branch chief of the Marine Modeling and Analysis Branch of Environmental Modeling Center (EMC), at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction for NOAA, in 1984, (where he remained until retirement in 2006), Dr. Rao's prestigious career spanned government and academic institutions including NASA, NCAR, the Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab, and the Universities of Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan and Maryland. He is well known for his research work on analytical and numerical studies on dynamics of long waves, ocean tides storm surges, circulations in lakes and oceans, stability of fluid flows, the Proudman-Rao method for finding eigenmodes, and global scale Real-Time Ocean Forecast System (RTOFS) implementation. He was highly awarded in his field, having been elected as full member of Sigma XI, entry into Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World; distinguished achievement from Cambridge, UK; American Men and Women of Science; and Elected Fellow of the American Meteorological Society. Dr. D. B. Rao lived an extraordinary life that spanned continents and left behind not only a significant scientific legacy, but for the many friends, family, students and colleagues whose lives he touched, he will always be remembered fondly for his generosity, brilliance, and irreverent sense of humor. Per Hindu custom, funeral service was performed immediately after his passing. One-year memorial service is planned.