Dr. Biman Das, a pioneering scholar in the field of ergonomics, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2026, at his home in Bedford, Nova Scotia. He was surrounded by his wife, Diane, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage.

Born in Pusa, Bihar, India, Das was raised in a family deeply connected to academia and agriculture. His father, Surendralal Das, worked at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, which relocated from Pusa to New Delhi following an earthquake that also destroyed much of the family's early records. Das was the fourth of five siblings in a large extended Bengali family originally from Chittagong, now part of Bangladesh.

Das’s early education took place at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi, where he initially distinguished himself as a sportsman, captaining the university’s football team and excelling in tennis, cricket, and table tennis. He earned a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree in 1956. In 1959, Das left India for Germany, eventually settling in the United States, where he earned a Master’s in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University (NC State) in 1962.

His professional and personal life led him to Quebec, Canada, where he met Diane Kerr. The couple married in 1970 and raised two children, Anjali and Bijon, while living in various Canadian cities, including Montreal and New Glasgow. Das returned to NC State to complete his doctorate in 1979 before beginning an academic career that included teaching at Texas A&M University.

In the late 1980s, Das returned to Canada to join the Department of Industrial Engineering at the Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS), which later became part of Dalhousie University. There, he focused on ergonomics, a field in which he gained international recognition. Over his career, Das published more than 200 scholarly works, including journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters. He supervised over 30 graduate theses, emphasizing the practical application of engineering in his teaching and research.

Even after mandatory retirement, Das remained active as Professor Emeritus, continuing his research and mentorship. His dedication to students and colleagues was well regarded, and his home in Bedford served as a vibrant gathering place for friends, family, and academic peers.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Das was known for his love of gardening, particularly cultivating roses, as well as for his musical interests, which ranged from Bengali classical works to international genres. He remained active in tennis well into his eighties and followed major tournaments, including the US Open.

Dr. Das is survived by his wife, Diane; daughter Anjali and her family in Calgary, Alberta; son Bijon and his family in Halifax, Nova Scotia; his brother Tapan Das of Mississauga, Ontario; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law across Canada. He was predeceased by three siblings.

The family expressed gratitude to the Halifax Bengali community, neighbors, and medical staff who supported Das during his final illness. A private cremation was held according to his wishes, with a memorial planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to the Sharodia Society of Halifax or planting a rosebush in his memory.