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Israeli Professor Killed Saving Students

Quote:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,266506,00.html

JERUSALEM — An Israeli lecturer who died in the massacre at a U.S. university saved the lives of several students by blocking the doorway of his classroom from the approaching gunman before he was fatally shot, his son said Tuesday.

Students of Liviu Librescu, 76, a holocaust survivor who was an engineering science and mathematics lecturer at Virginia Tech for 20 years, sent e-mails to his wife, Marlena, telling of how he blocked the gunman's way and saved their lives, said the son, Joe.

"My father blocked the doorway with his body and asked the students to flee," Joe Librescu said in a telephone interview from his home outside of Tel Aviv. "Students started opening windows and jumping out."

Liviu Librescu, was respected in his field, his son said.

"His work was his life in a sense," Joe Librescu said. "That was a good place for him to practice his research."

The couple immigrated to Israel from Romania in 1978 and then moved to Virginia in 1985 for his sabbatical, but had stayed since then, said Joe Librescu, who himself studied at the school from 1989 to 1994.

In Romania, the academic community also was mourning Librescu's death.

"It is a great loss," said Ecaterina Andronescu, rector of the Polytechnic University in Bucharest, where Librescu graduated in mechanics and aviation construction in 1953. "We have immense consideration for the way he reacted and defended his students with his life."

He also received a Ph.D from the Bucharest-based Academy of Sciences in 1969, and received an honorary degree with the Polytechnic University in 2000.

At the Polytechnic University, his picture was put on a table and a candle was lit, and people lay flowers. "We remember him as a great specialist in aeronautics. He left behind hundreds of prestigious papers," said one of the professors, Nicolae Serban Tomescu.

Librescu, who specialized in composite structures and aeroelasticity, published extensively and received numerous awards for his work. He also received several NASA grants and also taught courses at the University "La Sapienza" of Rome, Italy, and at the Tel Aviv University in Israel.

In Monday's massacre, a gunman killed 32 people at the Virginia university before committing suicide. It was the deadliest shooting rampage in modern U.S. history.

RIP, Professor Sheepdog.

Blue Skies Professor.

Crip

Wow.

RIP Professor Librescu

Showing the way even unto death. A lesson I should hope each student who witnessed his heroism will carry with them forever.

In pace requiescat Professor Librescu.

Reports that Ryan Clark, one of the deceased, was also slain while going to the aid of a student. Ryan was an RA in one of the dorms. Two heroes who placed others above self. Rest in deserved peace guardians.

It really is all about mindset. RIP Professor. Hopefully some of your students will take the lesson/example to heart. Peregrino

Teaching principles by example to the end, a real mensch, a true hero. Kaddish Shalom., Professor. I hope the kids in the classroom keep this with them forever.

My guess is he made his decision in 1945....

Quote:

Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc

My guess is he made his decision in 1945....

I agree.

When I read the story it didn't surprise me that this great man acted the way he did.

Rest in Peace Professor Liviu Librescu you are a true hero.

TS

I had read a couple of articles, with student comments, how a Prof was holding up against the door to allow them to get out through windows etc, and hoped beyong hope that he survived.

RIP Professor, prayers to your family.

Truly, a hero.

Rest In Peace Professor, a job well done.

Holly

Edit: To add, As a civilian attending public University, this whole drama has left me with a feeling of venurability Ive never felt before. I sure as hell don't want to be "hiding under my desk", b/c no one taught me what to do...

I think I will apply for a license, and purchase a handgun. We have a gun-range here that holds classes, so I guess it is time for me to shut up and sign up.

Holly

Quote:

Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc

My guess is he made his decision in 1945....

That statement says it all...

RIP Professor

Rest in Peace. It is amazing that a man of his age chose to stand his ground and fight while much more able bodied men and women did nothing. Thank God for men like Professor Librescu.

A truly exceptional man. RIP.