Javelina Nation is mourning the tragic loss of Mathematics professor Dr. Hueytzen James Wu, 74, who was found dead in Boca Chica Beach near Brownsville, Texas last weekend.
Wu was reported missing Oct.1, sparking the Kingsville community to take to social media in an effort to locate him. The search, however, ended Wednesday Oct. 7, when his body was found in Cameron County. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance and subsequent death are under investigation.
Wu joined Javelina Nation on Sept. 1, 1990. With more than 30 years serving Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Wu impacted the lives of many. He is remembered as a storyteller who always made time to help his students.
“Dr. Wu was a great professor, who was insanely nice and knowledgeable. He always made sure students were taken care of. He always had a smile and great story to tell. He would share stories about his past and journey to America which was really inspiring. I’ll miss him, he was one of the most fun professors I’ve ever had,” Caleb Nash, mechanical engineering major, said.
Wu’s disappearance was noted by his colleagues on Friday, Oct. 2, and on Monday, Oct. 5 after he did not show up for work. University Police conducted a welfare check on Monday and informed family. Wu was a passionate professor who had a captivating personality that made calculous, differential equations and linear algebra fun to learn.
“Dr. Wu was a very resourceful and understanding professor that knew the material he taught very well. He always respected the class and his students and was always available to contact and ask questions about any problems you might’ve had. He made the class enjoyable and interesting each time we met,” Rey Chapa, mechanical engineer major, said.
As days passed and calls went unanswered, the Kingsville community grew more concerned with Wu’s whereabouts. A significant amount of cash was withdrawn from Wu’s account and he was a diabetic. The few people on social media who alleged to have seen him all described him as confused and uncoordinated; these symptoms align with someone who is not receiving medication.
Wu’s sudden disappearance had an immediate impact on Javelina nation.
“When Dr. Wu didn’t come to work that was surprising, that was very unlike him. He had never done anything like that. Tragically, he passed… We are obviously going to miss him, he has been part of this department for 30 years. He is not only going to be missed by his colleagues but by his students,” Department Chair of Mathematics Dr. Michael Muzheve said.
Wu played a pivotal role in the Mathematic department. He shaped the lives of many students and led them towards success.
“Dr. Wu’s sudden passing is tragic. He impacted the lives of countless Javelinas during his more than three decades at this university. I know I join with the rest of the Javelina family in keeping his family in my thoughts during this difficult time,” President Mark A. Hussey said.
A memorial service will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16 at the Turcotte-Piper Mortuary. Javelina Nation will also be holding a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. Wednesday in front of College Hall to commemorate the impact Wu had on Javelina Nation.
The vigil is also in honor of George Floyd, who attended TAMUK and was killed by Minneapolis police in May.
Kingsville Police Department asks anyone with information regarding Wu to contact them at (361) 592-4311 or contact CrimeStoppers at (361) 592-INFO (4636) or email: p3tips.com.