HAVERHILL - It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we inform you that our husband and father Dr. Amit Sarkhel peacefully passed away on Friday, March 1st, 2019, surrounded by his family. We will miss his genuine, humble and compassionate soul dearly. He is survived by his wife Surya (Arundhati), his daughter Anjana and son Ranjan.

Amit started his journey of nearly 70 years in a small town in the Indian state of West Bengal, on May 6th 1949, as the first of seven brothers. His many intellectual gifts, coupled with an unparalleled determination and drive to succeed, brought him first to India's premier institution for engineering and technology, the Kharagpur IIT, where he completed his undergraduate degree. In 1970, he arrived in the US as a graduate student - to pursue his own version of the American dream. By 1977, he had completed his PhD in Material Science from SUNY Stony Brook. He then moved onto post-doctoral studies at Lehigh University. While he was studying there, he was part of a scientific exchange program between the USA and the USSR in the late 1970's where he represented the USA along with other distinguished scientists. He came back from Soviet Russia with a newfound appreciation for American decadence and a set of Russian matryoshka dolls. The one doll that has survived 40 years of moves, decorative editing, and Anjana's early childhood currently resides on a bookshelf in our living room. In 1980, he finally got a real job after marrying his other half and comedic foil in 1979. He was with IBM for many years before moving to Massachusetts and accepting the position of Sr. Principal Engineer at Raytheon, which he held with great distinction until his retirement last year. His professional career was filled with patents, publications, and good times. His colleagues will remember him as someone who always responded to their questions with an infectious smile and a very thoroughly explained answer. In his spare time, Amit enjoyed watching The Sopranos, reading the New York Times, and constantly nagging and scolding his perhaps less than perfect but dearly beloved daughter, Anjana. He attentively micromanaged her life up until the day of his stroke on February 17th.

He was a very loving husband, father, brother and uncle, an affectionate and conscientious mentor, a consummate professional and a brilliant scientist and innovator. His sense of duty towards his extended family and his colleagues was infused with the desire to aid and nurture the success of everyone around him. He set very high standards for himself in everything he did in life and he inspired everyone around him to do better than they had previously thought themselves capable of. He was idolized by his siblings, his children, his nieces and nephews. His loss leaves us all bereft of the love, light, support and joy he brought to our lives. Most of all, he wanted to see those of us he loved happy and laughing. We will honor his fierce tenderness by being the best versions of ourselves that he wanted us to be, holding his courage, his hope, and his sense of adventure deep in our hearts.

Services will be Friday, March 8, 2019, at the Linwood Crematory Chapel, 41 John Ward Avenue, Haverhill, beginning at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in honor of Dr. Amit Sarkhel to the following organizations which played an important role in his life. Indian Circle for Caring USA Inc., (ICC) ( http://wwv.ouricc.org/ ). Please indicate in the memo field "Memorial Donation in honor of Dr. Amit Sarkhel". We thank everyone who sent their prayers and wishes at this difficult time. Arrangements by Driscoll Funeral Home, Haverhill. For guestbook, please visit www.driscollcares.com

Date: Friday, March 8, 2019 Time: 1:00 PM Location: Linwood Cemetery and Crematory ( www.linwoodcemeteryonline.com/ ) 41 John Ward Avenue Haverhill, MA 01830 Phone: (978)-374-4191