Liviu Librescu, 76, a professor at Virginia Tech, was recognized internationally for his research in aeronautical engineering, the head of the Engineering Science and Mechanics Department at Virginia Tech. Liviu Librescu was born and received his advanced degrees in Romania.
Heroically, it has been reported that Prof. Librescu died while barricading the door of his classroom while his students hid and escaped out of the windows. In a sad twist of ironic fate, Prof Librescu, a Holocaust survivor, was murdered on Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day when we remember what happened to beautiful people like Liviu. In an age where we exalt sports figures, rock stars and actors, Professor Librescu stands out as the true hero.
I posted this entry while my wife was out of the house. When she returned she was very moved and wanted to contribute the following. As many of you know Emily has spent years studying and writing on the Holocaust. If you go to her tab above you will see her book on another Holocaust survivor, Shony Alex Braun.
From Emily:
It comes as no surprise to me that such a person would be a hero. No doubt he has sacrificed many other times in his life for the benefit of another. A Holocaust survivor knows the meaning of suffering and he was willing to put himself in the line of fire to save as many others from harm as possible. I am deeply greived that so wonderful a soul has had to suffer so greatly. So many of those who perished in the Holocaust were also extremely brilliant professors, musicians, philosophers–great minds destroyed senselessly. Our country has suffered a huge loss in terms of life and potential good in this world. These great thinkers and eager learners have passed on leaving us without all they were ready to give us. In light of Divine Mercy Sunday I pray, “Have mercy on us and on the whole world.”