Sankar Kumar Mandal

It is with profound sadness but a true sense of peace that we announce the passing of Sankar Kumar Mandal, a cherished husband, father, and grandfather, who left this world on January 22, 2026. Born in 1942 to Nitaipada Mandal and Anubala Mandal in the small village of Dhanykuria in West Bengal, India, Sankar carried the values instilled in him from a young age throughout his life. His journey across continents to find a better life not only exemplified courage but also created an enduring legacy of love and resilience that will forever be embodied in the family he nurtured.
Sankar was always devoted to his studies and married Tripti Mandal, of Calcutta, India, in 1968. He immigrated to the U.S. the following year and settled in New Jersey to complete his Master's degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked throughout the United States as a consultant in the nuclear power industry for the next 50 years. He retired briefly but returned to work for the City of New York at the World Trade Center only days before the attack on September 11, 2001, that changed the world. The experience of walking through the ruins of lower Manhattan with so many survivors impacted him for years to come. His work pulled him to many cities, including Morganville, NJ; Concord, CA; and Florence, SC, in all of which he found something that he could call "home." In their final years, he and his wife spent their time in Bay City, Texas, close to their Indian community and friends.
Though Sankar left his home in India as a young man, he was always there for his relatives in India, supporting his 10 siblings, their children, as well as their grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Tripti Mandal; his only child, Dr. Kathryn Mandal; his son-in-law, Dr. Jody Houston; and two grandsons, Kiran and Rohan.
In honoring the memory of Sankar Mandal, a celebration of his life will be held at a future date. He will be laid to rest through cremation, surrounded by his immediate family. As we reflect on his remarkable life, we invite family and friends to join us in remembering the warmth, laughter, and love he brought into our lives, ensuring that his legacy will live on in each moment we share together.