Bhabani Prasad Dey

Bhabani Prasad Dey died peacefully in his home on November 12, 2024. He was 88 years old. He was born in Daltonganj, now called Medininagar, when it was part of the Indian state of Bihar. Dr. Dey left India in 1969 for the United Kingdom. He came to the United States in 1972. He brought his beloved wife and center of gravity, Archana, to the United States soon thereafter.

He had a powerful belief in the importance of education. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Bihar University, India; a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Bihar University; associates degrees in Management, Meat Microbiology, and Industrial Microbiology, in the United Kingdom; a Master’s in Microbiology from the University of Missouri; a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Missouri; and a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Food Science from the University of Missouri.  He spent most of his career at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he worked in various roles.

Dr. Dey thrived on human connection. He had a remarkable ability to make friends wherever he went and to maintain those relationships. His extensive travels gained him scores of friends all over the world. Travel also unlocked his love of writing; he wrote two self-published books about his journeys and had nearly completed a third.

As a young man, he played soccer and tennis, and he continued to follow these sports throughout his life. He enjoyed sharing updates on major tournaments with his daughter. Most recently, they traded soccer updates via text during the Summer Olympics.

In retirement, Dr. Dey rediscovered his love of creating art. He took classes at the local senior center and excelled at painting and block printing, where his designs were especially intricate. He loved music as well and would comment enthusiastically on American pop to Indian classical.

Dr. Dey was preceded in death by his wife Archana. He is survived by his son Indraneel and his daughter Anita along with her husband Christopher and their two children, Annapurna and Niloy. He also leaves a community of family, found family, and friends around the world whose lives were enriched by his presence.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 10 a.m. (8:30 p.m. Indian Standard Time) at Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A., 1411 Annapolis Road, Odenton, MD 21113. The ceremony will be livestreamed . In lieu of flowers, please donate to Save the Children’s global projects or their India programs.