Dr. Nikhil Kumar Sarkar passed away on December 29, 2022 at 8:40 p.m. at the age of 79 in Austin, Texas due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease, and COVID-19. Nikhil was the fourth of ten siblings of Kamalapati and Anila Sarkar and grew up in the village of Tenya, West Bengal, India. Nikhil went to Bengal Engineering College and graduated from University of Calcutta in 1966. He immigrated to North America in 1967, obtaining graduate degrees in metallurgical engineering from the University of Alberta (Master of Science) and Northwestern University in Chicago (Ph.D). Beginning in 1977, Nikhil spent 36 years as a Professor of Biomaterials at the LSU School of Dentistry in New Orleans, where he was a passionate researcher, teacher, and an avid advocate for his students in the field of dental material science. Dedicated to his family, Nikhil was married to and is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joysri. Nikhil is also survived by his son Abheek, daughter in law Nicole, and grandson Isaac, niece and nephew in law Tania and Kiran, grand nephews Devan and Aarav. He was also a beloved uncle to his many nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and grand nephews residing in India and England. Surviving siblings include: Pranab Kumar Sarkar, Tarit Sarkar, Bharati Sarkar, Tapati Singha.
The family wishes to hold a small private funeral ceremony and intends to have a memorial service for family and friends in New Orleans at a future date in 2023.
The family would appreciate any donations to be made in Nikhil's name to any of the following charitable causes:
American Red Cross
https://www.redcross.org/
Paralyzed Veterans of America
https://secure.pva.org/
Street Children International
https://www.streetchildreninternational.net/
