Bimal K. Sarma

Bimal Kumar Sarma, 76, of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, passed away on October 13, 2025, surrounded by the care and love of his close-knit community in the Milwaukee area.

Bimal was born on June 7, 1949, in India to the late Byomkes Sarma and Maya Rani Sarma. He pursued education with deep passion and purpose. He moved to the United States on September 13, 1973, and earned his PhD in Physics from Northwestern University. He went on to share his love of science as a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where he inspired countless students through his curiosity, kindness, and dedication to teaching. He was especially proud of his pioneering research on the heavy-fermion superconductor UPt3, where his team’s groundbreaking ultrasound experiments revealed the material’s multiple superconducting phases—work that became a textbook example of unconventional superconductivity and continued to be talked about in many physics circles.

In Wisconsin, Bimal built a vibrant community around him. He was a proud and active member of the Bengali Cultural Society of Milwaukee, where he formed lifelong friendships and created a second family far from home.

Bimal was known for his generosity, humility, and gentle spirit. His quiet empathy and deep sense of selflessness made him someone people naturally turned to. He was always there when needed, often without being asked. His loyalty was unwavering, and those close to him knew they could always count on his honesty, wisdom, and thoughtful guidance. Though soft spoken by nature, he had a sharp wit and understated sense of humor, especially among those who knew him well.

He embraced life with a mix of curiosity and humility. Adventure was not something he actively sought, but when it came his way, he was a good sport—joining in with a loving amount of stubbornness and laughter. He had a deep love and appreciation for learning, from science to cinema. In midlife, he found joy in watching black-and-white films and silent movies at the theater. But his greatest happiness came from being around children and family friends, who lovingly called him “Thu.” His calm presence, slight grin, and gentle heart made him a beloved figure to generations.

Bimal also loved gardening, cooking, and hosting. He believed no guest should ever leave hungry, and he was famous for preparing far more food than anyone could possibly eat. Staying true to his nickname, whenever someone asked how many of something he wanted, he always replied with the same word: “two.”

He is survived by his brothers, Bikash Chandra and Bijoy Sarma, and their children. He is also survived by many dear friends who were like family, including Kaustav and Rituparna Medda, and his large and loving community in Milwaukee and around the world. He is preceded in death by his parents.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered for his kindness, integrity, gentle humor, and the love he shared so freely with others.

Visitation will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin, on Saturday, October 25, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Service at 12:00 PM. The service is open to the public. A livestream will be available on the funeral home’s website for those unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Milwaukee County Zoo may be made at the service to honor Bimal’s love for the zoo.

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