Sherman H. Wu

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Evanston Township High School Marquette University Northwestern University

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Sherman Wu Obituary

Wu, Sherman H. Professor of electrical engineering and computer science at Marquette University for nearly 28 years, died in Florida on May 11, 2010. He was 72. Dr. Wu was born in Wuhan, China on Aug. 21, 1937. He was the son of Dr. K.C. Wu, who was the mayor of three cities in China, including Shanghai, before becoming the first governor of Taiwan, under Chiang Kai-Shek, and Edith Huang Wu. The family immigrated to Evanston, IL. In the 1950's. Dr. Sherman Wu graduated from Evanston High School and went on to receive his bachelor of science, master of science and doctorate degrees from Northwestern University. Dr. Wu also worked for Space Technology Laboratory (now TRW Systems) in California, leading a group which designed the reaction jet control system for the Apollo mission (for the lunar module) and other Apollo missions. Also, as a senior research scientist, he developed guidance and control systems for antiballistic missiles (ABMS) and surface-to-air missiles (SAMS) at the Martin-Marietta Corporation in Orlando, FL. Dr. Wu lived for many years in Oconomowoc and at Okauchee Lake. He belonged to several professional organizations and enjoyed gourmet cooking, downhill skiing and wind surfing. He belonged to the Vagabond Ski Club. He is survived by his widow, Julianne, his wife of 17 years; five stepsons, Daniel, Peter, Thomas, Paul and Philip Agnew; six grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters, Eileen Yu, and Edith (Tingye) Li, a brother H.K. (Kathleen) Wu, and four nieces, Kathy Dessau, Debbie Cohen, Yolanda Yu and Lisa Yu. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 3, at the Funeral Home at 11:00 AM with visitation from 9:00 AM until time of memorial service, followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please support the American Cancer Society.

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Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from May 23 to May 30, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Sherman Wu

14 Entries

Alfredo Liu-Perez

December 18, 2020

Dear Julie,

You don't know me. I took Nonlinear Control Systems with Dr. Wu at Marquette. He made a big impression on me. I still remember him after almost 30 years.

He seemed grouchy, but was actually very nice. I think he was grouch to get us to study and pay attention in class. I remember spending days at the library memorizing his notes (there was no textbook) for an exam and I felt very proud when I got a B and that was one of the few and highest grades on that exam! He was a tough teacher.

He told us about him almost dying the day he was born because Japanese forces bombed his hospital. He told us that we need to be mindful if we are hired as contractors not to make the client look bad or stupid. He would see the solution to a problem and would pretend for a while that it was a tough problem so as not to make the client look bad.

I just found out today about his social activism or that the song "The Ballad of Sherman Wu" was about him.

Very sad to find out he passed away 5 years ago at a relatively young age. So sorry.

Hugs,

Mary Zarse

June 20, 2010

Dear Julie,
Sherman was a man who was engaged in living a full life. As one who was an old friend, I never knew what a brilliant scholar he was in the sciences until I met one of his Marquette colleagues. He kept his impressive professional career to himself. To his friends he was exceedingly generous. I remember the many parties at Oconomocwoc Lake where he'd work for days preparing his gourmet Chinese dishes. And he took up boating and skiing with such enthusiasm. I will miss him, his emails and his postcards from exotic places. Sherman was truly a Renaissance man.
My condolences,

Dan Simone

June 6, 2010

Dear Mrs. Wu,

I first met Dr. Wu when he was my instructor for an engineering undergrad class at Marquette. He pursuaded me to pursue my MSEE. During that time, I met with him weekly in his office for guidance. I am happy to see that little of it had to do with my degree. Instead, we spent most of the time talking about life in general. His impact on me was profound and I will always be grateful for the interest he took in me at an important time in my life. My sincere condolences on a loss that came much too soon.

June 3, 2010

Dear Julie & Family,
(John R Olson would like to add)
Sherman was an excellent teacher. He was a sincere & honest man. MU should be proud to have had a person like him teaching at their institution. He had a black board delivery. He was direct and his teaching voice could be heard on Wisconsin Ave.

Sincerely, John R. Olson

Mary Odders

June 3, 2010

Dear Julie,
My thoughts and prayers are with you today. This date is also my mother's anniversary of "starting a new life". She also is buried with my father at Holy Cross Cemetery. Both my parents loved Sherman as we all did. What a very special man he was. We all have such fond memories of him. Take care of yourself and know you were very special for Sherman to have chosen you. God bless you.
Mary Odders

Jack Dickinson

June 2, 2010

Dear Mrs Wu,
Very sorry to hear of the death of Sherman Wu. He was a great friend while at Northwestern and later we roomed together for 4 months in California while working at STL.
Many people have mentioned his gourmet cooking, but I did not notice any mention of how HOT some of his dishes were. I recall discussing mexican cuisine with him and his complaint that it failed to meet the criterion of using 'deliciously hot' ingredients like the bean paste favored in Chinese dishes!
Sorry I never had the opportunity to meet you as I apparently moved from Milwaukee before you married.

Sincerely, Jack Dickinson

June 2, 2010

Dear Julie,
Sorry to hear about the loss of Sherman. We were good friends and I will miss him. We shared a place together for about 15 years on Oconomowoc Lake back in the 50's & 60's. Very sorry that I can not come to the service because I am living in a nursing home. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the Wu family.

Sincerely, John R. Olson

June 1, 2010

Julie, I am so sorry to hear about Sherman-- we were good friends and skiied together with the Vagabonds for many years. Now he is up there with Bill Meier and friends hopefully having a good reunion. I will miss the Christmas cards keeping me up to date on your travels. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Louise E. Ladd-Whitson

Dave Bonin

May 31, 2010

I had Dr. Wu as an instructor in my graduate school days at Marquette in the early 1980s. He was challenging, especially as I was a mechanical engineer taking his upper division electrical engineering courses,. Still, I always liked having him for a teacher. He respected those who went beyond the minimum and was happy to give us credit (Peter Crandall and I proved an IEEE paper wrong, which got me out of a Dr. Wu term paper). I can still picture him standing by the viewgraph projector, cigarette dangling from his mouth, talking about "This baby right here" in a voice loud and clear enough that other instructors down the hall had to close their doors. He and Dr. Heinen were the driving force behind me getting my electrical masters degree. Thanks, Sherman!

May 30, 2010

Julie and Family: Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers as you remember and celebrate Sherman's wonderful life.
Dave and Donna Rae Foran

May 30, 2010

May 30, 2010
Hello Julie,
My kids called him Uncle Sherman. We are Sharon and Jim Porfilio, Mary's sister. We have our eldest granddaughter's birthday June 3, but will be thinking of our Sherman and you too that day.
Sherman was a delight. He cooked an embassy Chinese meal for us one night at his lake home that took at least 8 hours. We still remember and talk about it. He shared many meals with us and I still use some of his recipes. I remember one night he came to my gourmet cooking class at Nicolet High School one night and cooked up a fabulous meal for the class. He was special. You are so lucky to have "caught" him. And, he was so lucky to have found you.
With warmest regards,
Sharon and Jim Porfilio from Long Lake Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin and Arcadia, Florida

May 25, 2010

Dear Julie and all the family,
Sherman was a man who will live in all our memories because he became an important part of your life as well as for his very important work through his days.
You were lucky to have found and loved each other.
Heartfelt sympathy from Mel and Tom

Carolyn Boyd

May 24, 2010

Dear Mrs. Wu,
My deepest sympathies on the death of Sherman. I knew him many years ago in Milwaukee and he was always a kind person and wonderful host; I enjoyed many good times on Oconomowoc Lake. I will pray for both of you.

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