Prasanta C. Bhowmik, born in Bayenda, West Bengal, India died in peace after a two-year battle with cancer on November 2, 2024 at home in Williamsburg, MA with his daughter by his side as the sun rose…Om Shanti Om…

A long-time resident of Amherst, Massachusetts, Prasanta spent the last 8 months living in a new home with two of his four grandchildren, his daughter, and son-in-law. Prasanta was a lovable individual who will be greatly missed by his family and the many, many close family friends. He was respected by all and was a kind and caring person who connected with everyone through his smile. Prasanta will be remembered through his work as a weed biologist and the lifelong relationships he developed with his family, friends and colleagues. Throughout his life he forged strong relationships. The special bonds he created with his wife, family, friends, as well as his children’s friends, made life complete away from his homeland.

Prasanta had a love for music and photography. He greatly enjoyed all the meals and celebrations shared with his family and friends. Prasanta was an avid sports fan who had a promising soccer career early in his life. He played and coached badminton which was one of the first places his path crossed with Bev, his future wife. Prasanta also picked up golf when his children were in their teens. Prasanta was a proud parent who watched and videotaped his three kids at gymnastics meets and from the sidelines. He was supportive of their sports, art, dance, and who they were as individuals.  Prasanta enjoyed playing cards with his wife and grandchildren. He practiced the Art of Living, with Bev, and lately followed the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society.

On December 31, 1973, Prasanta wed Beverley Denise Tom in the village where he grew up. He made many trips to his home to visit and introduce his children and their families to his home and family in India. He returned 20 years later with Monica, his middle child, to attend a conference in New Delhi and see family. He again visited with his two other children David and Kiran on separate trips in 1997 and 1998, and again in the Fall of 1999 for a three-month sabbatical in India with Monica and Bev. In 2007, he brought Bev, Monica, Kiran, son-in-law, Henry, and grandson, Taikoda, to India and Bangladesh where he was teaching through the Fulbright Program at the Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka. In 2010, he traveled with Monica and Eric, a recently engaged couple, to West Bengal. Prasanta and Beverley visited India together for the last time in February of 2020. His final trip to India was in December of 2022 to see his family, for the last time, and introduce two of his granddaughters, with Monica and Eric.

Dr. Prasanta Bhowmik was a professor at the University of Massachusetts for 40 years at Stockbridge School of Agriculture from 1981-2021. He was dedicated to his teaching and research. Prasanta worked with countless colleagues in North America and around the world, including trips to France, China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Australia, Brazil, Peru, and more. He published a plethora of publications and received numerous honors and awards such as Outstanding Educator Award from the Northeastern Weed Science Society in 2007. Dr. Bhowmik advised to multiple students, many of whom he developed close relationships with and kept in touch with. Prasanta began his esteemed career in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science with honors from Kalyani University (BCKV) in West Bengal, India. He continued on to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi India where he received his Master’s of Science in Agronomy in 1966. Prasanta then came to Canada and completed a second Master’s of Science this time in Weed Physiology at the University of Guelph, Ontario in 1970 – It was here that he met his beloved Beverley. After their marriage and starting a family with the birth of Kiran Denise, his eldest daughter, and then Monica Indrani, his second daughter, they all moved to Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Here, in 1981, he completed his Ph.D in Weed Science and celebrated the birth of his son David Edward Bhowmik.

Prasanta was preceded in death by his parents Bhagvat Chandra Bhowmik and Kiran Bala – his mother, his eldest sister Nirmala, his older brothers Phuluko, Nirvik, Durdanta, his son David Edward Bhowmik, his eldest daughter Kiran Denise Bhowmik (Henry), his older sister Chapala, his sister in-law Fran Bruce (Doug), his younger brother Tarith and by Beverley ‘Bev’ his wife of 49 years.

Prasanta is survived by his daughter Monica Bhowmik; son-in-law Eric Driver; son-in-law Henry Wilson; his four grandchildren Taikoda, Tsukiko, Sunali, and Raina whom he cherished and loved with his whole heart; Hrista Bhowmik his older brother and only surviving sibling; brother-in-law Ted Tom (Sandy); his nephews and nieces in India and Canada as well as his grandnieces, grandnephews, and great grand nephews and nieces.

Arrangements had been entrusted to Douglas Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the Old Chapel on UMass Campus. We are forever grateful for the love and support of our families, friends, and community who have held us in love and light.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com