Nripendra Nath Das

Nripendra Das Live Stream Service Here 

Nripendra Nath Das, lovingly known as Nipen, passed away on December 10, 2024, in West Chester, Ohio, surrounded by his family. Hailing from the quaint town of Burnpur in West Bengal India, Nipen was the eldest of three brothers and two sisters and the cherished son of Naresh Narayan Das and Nihar Bala Das. At a young age, as the eldest of five children, Nipen was determined to take responsibility for his parents and siblings.

 Nipen’s studious and ambitious nature allowed him to complete and earn his undergraduate degree in ceramic engineering from the prestigious Banaras Hindu University in 1975. Little did he know while working in India, the universe would take him to the otherside of the world in a foreign land. In 1978, Nipen emigrated to the United States via San Francisco, supporting his family back in India while laying the foundation for his future in the U.S. Without a car and no money to his name, he was able to secure a job shortly after arriving in San Francisco. Nipen hustled and adapted into the unknown land of hope and opportunity. Nipen would often mention and tell stories of his “Godfather” Alfred Cooper, who guided and helped him adjust to America. 

After some time working, Nipen decided to travel cross country to start his graduate education at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He would then go on to complete his Master’s in Materials Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. During a break from his studies, he visited India, where he met Shefali Sengupta on New Year's Day. They became partners and were married on January 31, 1982. Shortly afterward, Shefali, affectionately known as Mala, joined him in the U.S. to begin their life together as a couple, where Nipen would embark on his career as an engineer. 

Nipen began his professional journey in upstate New York. He and Mala later moved to Bay City, Michigan, and then to Rochester, Michigan. In 1988, their family grew with the birth of their son, Prasenjeet (Raja), who would later become the joy and pride of their lives. While Nipen loved San Francisco and the Bay Area, Mala wanted to return to New York. However, as life often does, the universe had other plans when an opportunity presented itself at GE Aviation in Cincinnati, Ohio to Nipen that became a turning point in the family’s life. 

In 1989, Nipen, Mala, and one-year-old Raja moved to West Chester, Ohio, where Nipen began his career in coatings and chemical processes in the manufacturing and quality technology department at GE Aviation. His tireless work ethic, ambition, and altruistic nature led to a 30-year journey that saw him earn numerous recognitions, patents, innovation and technical awards, mentorship accolades, and two-time recipient of the prestigious William L. Badger Award. Nipen became a respected engineer, leader, and mentor at GE Aviation, leaving a lasting legacy at GE Aviation's Coatings and Chemical Processes. He retired in 2020, after a fulfilling professional career. Nipen spent his time with not only his loved ones but his books as well. Even during retirement, Nipen continued to share his wealth of knowledge, spending time with his cookbooks, library books, iPad, and Apple laptop, always seeking to learn and inspire those around him. 

Beyond his professional achievements, Nipen had a fulfilling family life. Nipen’s life was a testament to selflessness and love. He was a devoted husband and father, giving endlessly to his family; he loved his wife and son with every ounce of energy he had. Despite the physical distance from much of his family in India, Nipen had not only become a cornerstone in both the Das and Sengupta families but built a strong support system in their local community. While holding on to their traditional roots, Nipen and Mala assimilated into American society becoming U.S. citizens in 1990. From hosting cultural and religious celebrations that embraced eastern and western traditions, including Satyanarayan Puja, Saraswati Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, their home became a beacon of warmth and togetherness. Nipen also cherished his work family. The way he spoke about his wife and son to colleagues, who became lifelong friends, was just as heartfelt as the way he spoke about his work family to Mala and Raja. Even after retirement, Nipen maintained close ties with his mentees and colleagues, whether through heartfelt conversations or attending or organizing their cherished Dingle House happy hours.

Nipen is preceded in death by his father, Naresh Narayan Das; his mother, Nihar Bala Das; his paternal grandmother; his paternal grandfather, Upendra Nath Das; maternal grandfather, Panchanan Das; maternal grandmother, Labanga Latika Das; his father in-law and mother in-law, Bhupati Kumar Sengupta and Shantilata Sengupta; and his brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Kumaresh Nandi, Pradip Kumar Sengupta, Tushar Kanti Sengupta, Treeparna Sengupta, Deepali Dasgupta.

Nipen is survived by his devoted wife, Shefali Das; his beloved son, Prasenjeet Das; his brothers and their wives, Arup Kanti and Pampi Das, Soumen and Malabika Das; his sisters and brother in law, Subhra Nandi, Jyotirmoy and Rita Maiti. He is further mourned by his brothers in law, their wives and sisters in law, Kamal Dasgupta, Ajoy Kumar and Sampa Sengupta, Bijon Kumar and Mitali Sengupta, Ranjan Sengupta, Samir and Swikriti Sengupta, Surabhi and Gita Sengupta; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly. 

Visitation for Nripendra Nath Das will be held on December 20, 2024 from 11:00 am to 12:00 PM at Mueller Hicks Funeral Home Service & Crematory located at 6780 Roosevelt Ave, Middletown, OH 45005. Services will begin at 12:00 PM followed by cremation.

Nipen’s love and loyalty to those around him were returned tenfold. Nipen’s vibrant, passionate spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Nipen’s legacy will live on in those who were fortunate enough to know him, and he will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and the countless lives he touched.