Bill Scherer UVA Obituary & Death: On October 30, 2024, an online obituary announced the passing of William T. Scherer, a highly respected professor and pioneer in systems engineering and business analytics at the University of Virginia (UVA). Known for his extensive knowledge and dedication to education, Scherer’s cause of death has not yet been disclosed. In tribute to his legacy, Scherer’s family has asked those who knew him to honor him in a unique way: at 9 pm EDT on October 30, 2024, friends, students, and colleagues are encouraged to step outside, light a candle or flashlight, and point it skyward, while playing Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run to help guide him to his resting place.
Celebrating a Lifelong Commitment to Systems Engineering
Professor William T. Scherer made a significant impact on the field of systems engineering, joining the faculty at UVA in 1986 and dedicating his career to advancing business analytics, stochastic control, and systems thinking. He played an instrumental role in the University of Virginia Systems Engineering Program and provided consulting services for numerous firms, helping them apply analytical insights and systems approaches to diverse challenges.
Scherer’s contributions to academia and the field of engineering were profound. He authored numerous journal articles, conference papers, book chapters, and business cases, with a particular focus on intelligent decision support systems, transportation systems, and financial engineering. His co-authored books, How To Do Systems Analysis (2007) and its follow-up, How to Do Systems Analysis: Primer and Casebook (2016), remain essential resources for those in the systems engineering field.
Career Achievements and Contributions
Throughout his career, Scherer’s expertise and commitment were recognized by his peers. In 2007, he received an Outstanding Faculty Award from the University of Virginia, a testament to his impact on students and academia alike. He also served as President of the IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Society from 2007 to 2008, further cementing his influence in the field. His interests extended beyond research to include engineering education and curriculum development, reflecting his belief in inspiring the next generation of engineers.
Scherer’s contributions went beyond academia. From 2001 to 2002, he was a Visiting Professor at the Darden Graduate School of Business, where he shared his expertise in systems thinking and decision-making with future business leaders.
A Lasting Legacy
William T. Scherer’s impact on systems engineering, his students, and the University of Virginia community will endure. Known for inspiring students to see the beauty and complexity in systems engineering, he was revered as a mentor who could make even the most challenging topics accessible and engaging.
As the UVA community, family, and friends gather to honor his memory, Scherer’s work and passion for systems engineering will continue to influence future generations. His legacy lives on not only in his published works and academic contributions but in the lives of those he inspired to pursue knowledge and innovation with dedication and integrity.
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Conclusion
William T. Scherer will be deeply missed but fondly remembered as a trailblazer in systems engineering and a beloved professor whose influence will resonate for years to come. The UVA community and beyond will hold his memory close, honoring his life by embracing the systems thinking and passion for learning he instilled in so many. Rest in peace, Professor Scherer – your light continues to shine through the lives you touched.
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