Dr. Sufian A. Khondker is no longer with us. He passed away on March 3, 2024, in New York. Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un … May his departed soul rest in peace in Jannatul Ferdous. Ameen.

Dr. Sufian Khondker, PhD, was a world-renowned engineer with over 50 years of experience in Hydraulics, River Engineering, Geotechnical and Civil Engineering aspects of complex Power, Water Resources, and Infrastructure projects. Dr. Khondker was a Senior Vice President and National Technology Director of ARCADIS, one of the largest Design & Consultancy Firms in the world. Dr. Khondker was also associated with many National and International Professional Societies and Organizations.

Dr. Khondker received numerous awards, the most prestigious ones include US Congressional Recognition for outstanding achievements in Engineering and Science, and Certificate of Merit from New York State Assembly for outstanding Community Service. His biography was published by Marquis Who’s Who in the World and recently he was awarded the most prestigious Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. He was serving, before his death, as an Advisor to the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) for review and design of the first Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh.

Dr. Khondker was a stalwart in the Bangladeshi expatriate community in the U.S.A. He served the community, its “sushil samaj” organizations and Bangladesh at large. In the 1990s, a group of Bangladeshi expatriates in the United States and their American friends, led by the retired United Nations Official, Dr. A T Rafiqur Rahman, were carrying out deliberations to establish a volunteer-run organization which was aimed at developmental and relief work in Bangladesh. It was natural that these people would seek out Dr. Khondker’s assistance and guidance. The Volunteers Association for Bangladesh (VAB) was established in 1998. Dr. Khondker was an Advisor and Patron of VAB as well as a Colleague and Friend of the Founding Group of VAB, particularly of the Founder Dr. Rahman.  Importantly, he was the Host for VAB, providing Facilities and Organizing Platforms for VAB, emphasizing Publicity, He was the person with whom Dr. Rahman consulted very frequently to discuss VAB matters and seek counsel. His office in New York City was the facility which VAB used as its Office and organizing platform. This generous help, in addition to saving money, was the lifeline through which VAB was born and brought up.

VAB and its Officials, particularly, the Founder and President, Dr. A T Rafiqur Rahman will miss Dr. Sufian Kkhondker. The VAB Family and its beneficiaries in rural Bangladesh express their gratitude to Dr. Khondker and will remember him always.