In memoriam - Jaroslav Svoboda

 

Friends, students and colleagues were shocked and saddened by the death of Professor Jaroslav Svoboda, when his light plane crashed near Westport, N.Y., on July 26.

Professor Svoboda had taught in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering for 28 years. At the time of his death, he was director of the Master of Aerospace Engineering program and director of Centre for Industrial Control.

Born in Czechoslovakia, he worked for six years in Czech and Swiss companies before coming to Canada. He complete his doctorate at Concordia in 1976.

He received the Canada Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer 1984, and helped to manage the Quebec Master in Aerospace Engineering program.

He was a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec and CRIAQ (Consortium for Research & Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec). He chaired the organizing committee of the Canada/France Aerospace Workshop 1997, and was a director of Festo Canada, a manufacturer of industrial control systems.

Dr. Svoboda was passionate about aerospace, in his academic career and as a practitioner. Dean Nabil Esmail has expressed the heartfelt sorrow of his colleagues. “We will miss Yaro, as fine academician and educator, and as a friend.”

Our sincere condolences are extended to the family.