Dean Giolando

1957 - 2019

(News story) Dean Giolando, a University of Toledo professor who helped younger students gain interest in the science and technology fields through Legos and robots, died Wednesday at his Ottawa Hills home. He was 61.

His wife, Kristin Kirschbaum, said his death was sudden. While an autopsy was not completed, she said family believes he had a heart attack.

When Mr. Giolando's son, Mark-Robin, was in fifth grade, the boy joined FIRST Junior Lego League, which is designed to introduce science, technology, engineering, and math concepts to children between the ages of 6 and 10 while using Legos. His younger son, Patrick, also joined.

Older students participated in the building of robots and had to overcome various challenges, like helping a disabled individual complete tasks with a robot, Mark-Robin Giolando said.

"We started to help a little bit. The next year, we ran our own team. We did this through our kids and then we helped others," Mrs. Kirschbaum said. "They needed judges, and he was very into that."

Chris Scharer, a family friend whose son also participated in the program, said Mr. Giolando was dedicated to helping students learn.

"Dean was always enthusiastic to share the love of science and engineering with all of the kids. It's him. It gave him a younger audience than his college audience," Mr. Scharer said.

He'd even give up his prized possessions, like a rechargeable flashlight, to build the proper robot, Mark-Robin Giolando said.

Overall, Mr. Giolando spent nearly 15 years with the program, volunteering well into when his children were finished. While Mr. Giolando was considered a respected scientist, he often judged the teams for teamwork, Mr. Scharer said.

"The idea is that all of the kids are involved and participating and therefore they're all learning," Mr. Scharer said. "That was what Dean wanted to emphasize, what he thought was most important - as many kids as possible had the opportunity to learn what they could from the program."

The first in the family to earn a college degree, Mr. Giolando graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1981, and in 1987 he received his PhD in inorganic chemistry. He dedicated much of his research to improving the efficiency of solar cells - specifically developing compounds to keep them clean. Additionally, he completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Texas at Austin.

He was a true academic, his sister Eileen Wimble said. Mr. Giolando's brother picked him up from school one weekend to go camping, and in his suitcase was only books - no clothing.

Mr. Giolando started as an assistant professor in 1988 at the University of Toledo.

Mr. Giolando met his wife while she was studying at the university. The German native returned home, but she and Mr. Giolando continued a long-distance relationship.

The couple shared their vows during a double wedding ceremony in Germany in 1991, along with Mrs. Kirschbaum's brother and his wife.

Mr. Giolando received tenure in 1994 and later became a full professor.

"Research is not just doing the research. He raised several PhD students," his wife said.

Mr. Giolando was born April 30, 1957, to Eileen Giolando. He was raised in Buffalo, N.Y.

Outside of work, Mr. Giolando enjoyed snorkeling, supporting politics, and being environmentally conscious. While snorkeling, he even made sure to wear coral-safe sunscreen, his wife said.

Though he enjoyed his sleep, he always woke up early to drive his wife to every race. While she was running, he stood at the finish line taking pictures.

Family even persuaded him to participate in an upcoming mud run.

Mr. Giolando is survived by his wife, Kristin Kirschbaum; sons, Mark-Robin and Patrick Giolando; sister, Eileen Wimble; and brothers, Paul, Gary, and Bob Giolando.

A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave., with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park at a later date.

Tributes in Mr. Giolando's memory may be directed to any environmental protection organization or coral reef organization.

This is a news story by Allison Dunn. Contact her at adunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6506, or on Twitter @AllisonDBlade.