Obituary of Ranendra Nath Ghatak

Ranendra Nath Ghatak, a longtime resident of Las Vegas since 1977, passed away suddenly on January 10, 2021. He was 72. Born in India, Ghatak received his degree in Diesel and Automotive Engineering from the University of Calcutta. A brilliant student, he continued his education at the University of Munich, graduating with a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering. He had a lifelong interest in research and continued to accumulate engineering credits and expertise at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He had an outstanding career, serving as the Research Engineer for BMW in Germany, where he was involved in prototype engine design, research and development, and laboratory testing. Ghatak then moved to Las Vegas as Chief Research Engineer at the Solar Pump Corporation, where he was responsible for the design, research and development of solar pump prototypes and special refrigerant solar boilers. He worked on some Special Projects, most notably at Dow Chemical, USA, and with the Energy Department of the World Bank. In that connection he worked with the United Nations Development Project mission to Sudan, to assist the local staff of the Energy Research Institute to commission the solar pumping system. He worked briefly at Nevada Power as Generation Engineer but discovered he had a passion for research on solar energy and in 1983, established his own company, United Solar Energy. "The company's products range from a patented portable solar oven to a solar heating tank encased in what seems to be a skylight for installation on roofs", said an article in the Review-Journal. His products were used in many local homes and throughout the United States. Ghatak was a pioneer in the use of solar energy and was awarded several patents in this field. Solar energy remained his lifelong passion. He received a Certificate of Commendation from the United States Senate for outstanding and Innovative Developments in Solar Energy Technology. He also collected accolades from local governments and was honored by Nevada Governor Bob Miller and President of the United States George H.W. Bush. Ghatak felt the need to give back to the community and was a philanthropist. He donated a pool heater to New Vista Ranch, a facility that houses young children with Down Syndrome and other disabilities. Nathan Adelson Hospice was another beneficiary of his generosity. Cooking was Ghatak's hobby and his friends will attest to his culinary talent and graciousness as a host. He baked a cheesecake for the family as recently as the Christmas holidays. The youngest son among 5 siblings, Ghatak leaves behind his beloved wife Supriya and son Dr. Rupendra Nath Ghatak, who was engaged to be married a few weeks ago, much to his father's delight. Services are private and restricted to immediate family.