I am very sad to report that Dr. Leo Pucacco passed away yesterday, one week short of his 81st birthday.
Any SMU student who was an engineering major during the late 80s up until the mid 2000s undoubtedly was quite familiar with Dr. Leo. I personally know how much he meant and how motivating he was to all of his engineering students. He was truly beloved by everyone he came into contact with.
I remember as a freshman coming onto campus for the first time in 1986 as an electrical engineering major and meeting him for the first time for academic advising. He made me feel at ease right away and talked me through my academic plan. His personality and demeanor (and all the Star Trek memorabilia in his office) inspired me instantly. You could tell he really cared.
While I am just one of the countless many he helped and encouraged, I was blessed that he stayed close with me and my family throughout the years. It was a sad and dark day for SMU when he left the Hilltop in 2006. Now is not the time or place to debate why that happened, although all engineering students at the time were truly upset.
Personally, he was the main motivating factor that steered me towards my SMU degree and all the privileges that go along with that.
Just two years ago, upon my daughter's college graduation, he handwrote her a 10 page letter, offering his valuable life advice that she still reads and follows regularly to this day.
Dr. Leo Pucacco, thank you so much for all that you did and how much you meant to me and my family, and the SMU engineering community, you will be missed.