In Loving Memory of - Morgan State University

I cannot express how much I miss Professor Shinya Kikuchi and how much I willcontinue to miss him. To me, he was a dear Professor, a trusted mentor, a great scientistand a magnificent human. I have learnt a lot from him; both in science and in life.I first met Professor Kikuchi in January of 2007. He had offered a TransportationUncertainty course and it turned out that I was the only student registered for thiscourse. I was surprised when he decided not to cancel the course, and gave me thecourse; alone. This was the first course I attended for Professor Kikuchi, but since then,he has become one of my dearest professors and trusted mentors. For six years, Ienjoyed learning from him, and I had thought I would continue to learn from him foryears to come. I attended all of the courses Professor Kikuchi offered at Virginia Tech,he was a member on my dissertation committee, I worked with him while preparingthe webinar series for ABJ70, and I had the honor of his company in many otheroccasions.I enjoyed numerous aspects about my encounters with Professor Kikuchi, whether inclass or outside. He was a continuous source of inspiration for me. He never told mewhat to think; instead he always challenged me with remarks that would inspire andexcite me, and cause me to think beyond the surface. With his remarkably kind smile,he once told my wife referring to me “I give him [me] something to think about, and itwould make him [me] go crazy”. He was a master of philosophy, an advocate ofperfection, and an idol of ethical behavior. Yet, he had a remarkable heart of kindnessand a unique character of modesty. I invited him for lunch several times thinking that Icould pay if I insisted harder than the preceding time, but I never succeeded.An anecdote which I will never forget happened at TRB last year. My dissertation finaldefense was scheduled a week after. I had been working with all my committeemembers and I had often felt they were proud of my work; I felt confident and I wasneither worried nor anxious. However, last year at TRB, I met Professor Kikuchi. I felthe was as happy and proud of me as he had always made me feel, until I asked him ifhe had read my dissertation and what he thought of it. Suddenly, his demeanorchanged and he answered with such a serious tone and facial expressions that made mefeel I had asked an unimaginable question “I cannot tell you anything”. For thefollowing few days and until I passed my defense, I was as worried and anxious as Ihad never been. Later on, when I recanted this story to him, he laughed like I had neverseen him laugh. I cannot explain his reaction in TRB last year. May be I just did notexpect his answer and imagined it all. But, I know that this memory always makes mesmile.No words can express how I feel about my dear, trusted professor and mentor, andnothing I say can ever convey how much I miss him and how I wish I could have spentmore time with him. He had always been there for me, even when I did not ask. I neverthought about the day I would want to speak to him and he would not be here. Icannot bid farewell to my professor, my mentor and my idol because he has touchedmy heart, my mind and my soul. He will continue to live in my heart, my memories,my thoughts, and my actions, and for as long as I live. But, I still wish he were here.Professor Kikuchi is an idol to me. I will always aspire to be everything he stood forand to inspire others the way he inspired and continues to inspire me. I hope one daywe would meet again and he would be proud of me.Aly Tawfik, Ph.D.His student at Virginia TechDr. Kikuchi was a great teacher and by his encouragement and positive example hemade a lasting impact on my academic and professional life and on the lives of manyother students.I started taking classes at Virginia Tech just before Dr. Kikuchi arrived. I wasapprehensive about applying for the master’s program because I did not have abackground in engineering. Dr. Kikuchi encouraged me very strongly to apply. As Iworked my way through the program, Dr. Kikuchi was very supportive. He wasalways friendly and encouraging and he was relaxed and patient when I needed helpwith a topic. I had a couple of classes with him and he served as mentor on myresearch project. It is no exaggeration to say he helped get me through a challengingcourse of study.I felt lucky to have such a good friend in the university, but, amazingly, this was notany special treatment. Time and time again I saw that he was kind and considerate,even gracious, with all of his students. He was busy building a program, completingresearch, mentoring and teaching--yet he always had a friendly smile and sympatheticear for everyone he met. I don’t know how he managed this, but I think he maintainedthe senses of curiosity, enthusiasm and wonder that we are all born with but many ofus lose as we move out of childhood. I will never forget his smile and the good humorthat Dr. Kikuchi shared with us in class.”Michael JollonHis student at Virginia TechI believe Dr. Kikuchi was a great professor, engineer, scientist, and a good friend ofmine. I was a big fan of his interactive teaching style. His contributions toward myPh.D. dissertation, which is in the final stage now, are tremendous; and without him itwould be very challenging for me to make significant progress in my dissertation. Dr.Kikuchi always enjoyed discussing cultural, political and transportation issues withhis students as he did with me, which was a unique tool to draw his students close tohim. I have learned many invaluable lessons which will help me become a soundprofessional. I really miss him and he will be missed by many students of VT andother universities.Mesbah IslamHis student at Virginia Tech2829