Va. Tech Professor, Holocaust survivor, buried in Israel

[sabra]

Source: WP/AZ Central

RA'ANANA, Israel - Liviu Librescu, the 76-year-old professor and Holocaust survivor who died protecting his students from the Virginia Tech gunman, was eulogized Friday in a cemetery surrounded by citrus groves as a quiet hero unfailingly devoted to his students and his work.

"I believe you are looking at us from above, at this gathering, and saying, What? don't you have anything to do?', " said Aryeh Librescu, one of the professor's two sons. Librescu said his father would not have understood the fuss over his willingness to block a classroom door so students could escape Cho Seung-Hui's murderous rampage.

The well-liked professor, his son imagined, would say simply, "I did what I had to do."

Internationally known for his work in aeronautical engineering, Librescu survived many great evils before Cho shot him to death in Blacksburg on Monday. He lived through the Holocaust as a teen-ager and fought against Communist dictatorship in his native Romania, eventually losing his government aerospace job when sought to emigrate to Israel.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0420Vaholocaust20-ON.html

[leftyladyfrommo]

1. That is just the saddest thing. He was just the most wonderful man. n/t

[CatWoman]

2. .

:cry:

[Virginia Dare]

3. Rest In Peace Professor Librescu...

:cry:

[Mr. Earl]

4. He is..........

The one true hero to come out of this tragedy..

[Virginia Dare]

5. The R.A. in the dorm was pretty heroic I would say..n/t

[stray cat]

7. True - it sounds like there were many acts of herorism

Some of which will remain unknown or underappreciated because there were no surviving witnesses.

[supernova]

6. Just heartbreaking

A Holocaust survivor who still, STILL died a violent death.

:cry:

[maddezmom]

8. :(

He died a hero with all his students getting out alive. RIP Professor.

[Renew Deal]

9. This man is a hero.

His story is tragic. He deserves a Congressional Medal of Freedom. He's no different than any soldier that fights for freedom and the safety of his people.

[Behind the Aegis]

11. Yes, he is a hero!

If you haven't seen this, please read and consider...piedmont says "Liviu Librescu should be awarded a Congressional Gold Medal".

[rockymountaindem]

10. He will be remembered well n/t

[tabasco]

12. People like Professor Librescu restore my faith in humanity.

Thank you, Professor.

[Mad_Dem_X]

13. May he rest in peace now

He survived the Holocaust so he could save others. Now his work is done. RIP.

[superconnected]

14. RIP professor.

You served humanity greatly.

[piedmont]

15. Please consider writing your congress-people on behalf of Dr. Librescu

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x691853

"This man led an exemplary life, and gave it up in valorous defense of his students. We owe it to ourselves and our children to hold him up as an example of the ideals we believe in. Please write your congressional representatives and ask that they cosponsor legislation for bestowing this honor on him.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Gold_Medal
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award which may be bestowed by the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the United States government. The decoration is awarded to any individual who performs an outstanding deed or act of service to the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States."

[Lisa]

16. "What? Don't you have anything to do?"

Classic! That put a smile on my face.

By the way -- I am a college instructor, and today a student came pelting in, two hours late for an exam, after the class had already finished and left. She was a first-year who had overslept. Usually if this happens, students are only allowed a make-up if they have a medical or family emergency. I bent the rules, re-wrote a couple of questions, and let her do the exam today even though I had to stay at work longer (and rejuggle my own schedule), so she wouldn't have to stew about it for days while the paperwork went through Admin. One of Prof. Librescu's students, posting here on DU, said that he was a kind man who frequently helped people who were in a fix.

I told my student that I was partly doing this to honor Prof. Librescu, and suggested that she look up his biography on the Web when she got home.

[Behind the Aegis]

17. Very classy!

:applause:

[lildreamer316]

18. This was a life well lived.

This is a great example to follow; to look up to; and to remember.
I for one, who had no idea who he was before this; will never forget him; and will strive to do him honor in my life.