Tapas K. Das Gupta, world-renown surgeon, researcher, and mentor, passed away peacefully on the morning of December 17, 2024 at the age of 92.  Tapas was one of the world's leading authorities on treatment for melanomas and sarcomas and remained active in the scientific community until the very end of his life.  He was defined by his love of science, which was only eclipsed by the boundless love he had for his family.  Tapas and his wife Judy (Murphy) were a perfect match and were married for 57 happy years.  They had two children, Joy (Rob Neely) and Neil (Carrie), along with five grandchildren:  Asha (16), Drew (17), Olivia (20), Katie (23), and Molly (25).  Tapas delighted in his family, and nothing made him happier than spending Thanksgiving dinner with everyone around him.  He always had innumerable stories from his amazing life that could keep the entire table enchanted for hours.  His entire family is eternally grateful that he was able to enjoy one last wonderful Thanksgiving in 2024, with family all around him like always.

Tapas was born on February 22, 1932 in New Delhi, India to Nilalohit and Labanya Das Gupta.  He was the middle child of three, with an older brother Nirmalya Das Gupta and a younger sister Nupur Chaudhuri (Das Gupta).  He was exceedingly intelligent and was far ahead of his age-related peers from the beginning.  He eventually went off to college at 14 in 1946.  This was a turbulent time in India, as the burgeoning Quit India movement was trying to end British occupation.  Tapas became interested in politics at this time, and was elected student body president.  At the age of 16, he organized a jute mill worker's strike which grew to become a large protest movement.  This attracted the attention of the British authorities and at one of the rallies, they opened fire.  Tapas was shot in the leg, captured, and jailed for 72 hours in solitary confinement before being released.  Still, the strike was a success.  Tapas returned to his studies and finished college in only two years.

Tapas was admitted to medical school at 16.  He had to lie about his age at the time, as the minimum age for admission was 18.  Two years into his medical school education, his actual age was uncovered.  Tapas had the highest grades in the class, so rather than expel him, the administration delayed his progression for a number of months.  During this hiatus, Tapas found work in Darjeeling on a tea plantation, caring for the numerous injuries that workers received on the job.  Many of these injuries were cuts of various sizes sustained during the trimming of the tea leaves.  He was very busy, cleaning and suturing these wounds all day.  In turn, these workers taught him much about tea and how to identify the highest quality leaves, which started his lifelong love affair with tea.  Tapas was never picky about food – but he was a tea snob of the highest order.

He later completed his medical training in 1953 and passed all exams with highest distinction.  However, he had grown frustrated by the colonial narrow-mindedness of the medical establishment in India and decided that he needed to go to the US to further his medical career.  He took a few internship positions in India while waiting for a US visa which finally came in 1956.  Starting at Mt Sinai hospital in Chicago, Tapas' hard work, dedication, and intelligence propelled him through the ranks of academia.  He went on to a faculty appointment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

While in New York, Tapas met the love of his life, Judy Murphy.  Together, they reveled in the cultural opportunities of the city, including museums, galleries, exhibitions, and theaters.  Tapas went to the University of London for a PhD and eventually Judy followed him there.  They married in March of 1967.  Shortly thereafter, Tapas was named the head of surgical oncology at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  There, Tapas grew to international renown as a physician.  He authored hundreds of papers, mentored dozens of fellows, and saved thousands of lives.  A small sample of his career academic highlights would include: publishing numerous papers in the most prestigious journals (Nature, Science, Cell), chairing multiple FDA committees, becoming the first non-White inducted into the prestigious American Surgical Association, and having the longest continuously funded NIH P-01 grant in US history.  Tapas was always a champion of women's rights and helped many female surgeons advance their careers despite the "old boy" network of surgery.  Graduates from his training program have gone on to successful careers all across the world.

As per his wishes, he will be cremated and his ashes will eventually return to his native India, to be scattered into the Ganges River.  A memorial service to celebrate his amazing life will be planned for the spring/summer of 2025.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send donations to the American Cancer Society or the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Arrangements entrusted to Conboy Westchester Funeral Home. Info: 708-562-5900.