Dr. Gursel Suer, 61, of Athens passed away Wednesday, July 14.

Born May 20, 1960, in Turkey, Dr. Gursel Suer received his Bachelors and Masters in Industrial Engineering from Middle East Technical University (1985), and PhD in Industrial Engineering from Wichita State University (1989). He joined the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department at Ohio University after working 12 years at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez. He was on the editorial board of various journals, a committee member of International Conference on Production Research, and served as the manufacturing area editor of the Computers and the Industrial Engineering Journal. He co-chaired multiple conferences including the Computers and Industrial Engineering Conference (1997-Puerto Rico, 2005-Istanbul). He also initiated Group Technology/Cellular Manufacturing Conferences held in Puerto Rico (2000), Ohio (2003), Netherlands (2006), and Japan (2009). He published more than 110 papers in journals, conference proceedings, edited and contributed chapters to books, and made more than 100 technical presentations. He was the masters and doctoral advisor to over 100 graduate students throughout his career. Among his many achievements are multiple distinguished professor, research and keynote speaker awards both domestically and internationally, including the Teaching Excellence Award from the IEOM Society International.

Gursel was a loving husband; his world revolved around his relationship with his wife. They traveled the world together, bringing their life experiences back to their family and community. He was a loving and supportive father and grandfather, savoring every story of their exploits. He embraced everyone he met, finding joy in learning about their lives and sharing his. He was both professional and personable, providing warmth and encouragement to all his students and anyone who sought mentorship. He shared his time, his life, his smile, and chocolate treats with everyone.

His favorite hobbies were soccer, classical guitar, and storytelling. An active member of the Athens Soccer community, Gursel was a staple of the community since its inception.

He is preceded in death by his parents Feridun and Yuksel Suer.

He is survived by his wife Ayse Suer, children Ozan Suer (Valerie Schoeppner), Roman Suer (Allison Schoeppner), Lara Suer, and granddaughter, Alina Suer. He is also survived by his brothers Ali Suer, Mehmet Suer (Gulen Suer), nieces Eda Suer, Aslican Arinsoy, Irmak Akca, and nephews Korhan Uran (Mary Uran) and Sonat Suer.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to The Dr. Gursel Suer Scholarship and Memorial Fund: https://gofund.me/d096bd31

Services will be held Saturday July 24, 2021 at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Athens, 2 N Court St., Athens, Ohio. Arrangements are by Hughes-Moquin Funeral Home, where you may send the family a message of sympathy or sign the online guestbook at www.hughesmoquinfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Athens NEWS from Jul. 20 to Jul. 25, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Gursel Suer

Sponsored by Hughes Funeral Home (Hughes-Moquin) - Athens.

14 Entries

John Shook

July 26, 2021

The Shook's send their thoughts and prayers to Dr. Suer's family and friends. It is always sad to hear of such a great loss, as this man touched the hearts and minds of so many with a caring hand, and that will endure. He was one who loved academia and was glad to share his gift. We are blessed to have had you in our lives and grateful for your many contributions. May the Lord bless you and your family.

John & Susan Shook

Jaikumar Arumugam

July 25, 2021

My heartfelt condolences to the Süer family. This is an unimaginable loss of a great human being and as a former student of Dr. Süer, I stand with you in support.

His love for life and family was a joy to behold. A rare breed of intellect and kindness, his warmth and empathy lit up many a dreary winter day in school. He sets high expectations that can seem very tough but he taught us that we should expect greater things from ourselves. He has the knack of being kind and gentle, in times of need, while telling the reality without any sugarcoating.

I can never repay his warmth and kindness, I can only pass it forward to others. I believe a part of him lives in all of us who have been blessed to have met him in our lives. May his beautiful soul rest in peace!

A man can not rise without the support of a wonderful family that nurtures and allows him to be the best person that he can be. My heartful gratitude for the Süer family for sharing this wonderful man with the rest of us. Please take care!

Dyah Arin Hening

July 22, 2021

Dr. Süer was the first person I met from the ISE Department before being officially accepted into the department. At that time, I was still in OPIE and was planning to apply to enter the ISE department and not sure who to talk to.

I met him while playing soccer in Ping Center, and I accidentally kick the ball at him. He was gracious enough to let me talk to him afterward and accept my apology while joking around about it.

I still remember when I had to go to a conference in Kunming and presented our paper and his paper for him since he could not make it to the conference. Everyone at the conference showed me their respect as Dr. Süer's student and respected him for his tremendous contribution to the field.

In addition to being a family man, his passion for education, music, and soccer have been all the things I admire the most. His warm presence and aura make me feel welcome and relate to him as an international student. He has been like a second father figure for me in this second place I called home.
I won't forget when we exchanged life lessons through personal stories and knowledge transfer in his office, with chocolate, cries, and laughter.

Dr. Süer, I am grateful for the path that leads me to meet you, a candle that lights up its surrounding with kindness, warmth, and joy.
Ayse, Ozan, Roman, Lara, and Alina, my deepest sympathy and condolences. Thank you for sharing Dr. Süer with us and continuing his legacy by being such a warm and inspirational family.
My prayers and thoughts are with all of you and hope in the midst of sorrow and comfort through the painful loss.

Sabrina Kotts

July 21, 2021

Ayse and Lara,
I was deeply saddened when I learned of the passing of your husband and father, Gursel. I know that his passing is a very great loss to you and the rest of your family. Please know that I am thinking about you.
It was always so good to see you together as a close and loving family at events like the concert series at OU.
My sincere sympathy. May God bless you and hold you close in His loving care today and every day.
Sabrina Kotts

Terry Douds

July 21, 2021

I’m so sad to hear of Dr. Suer’s passing. He was an amazing teacher, helping me to obtain my MS in Engineering, but also a delightful person, always offering any help he might offer as I moved forward in my career. We would see each other at various events around Athens since I graduated 11 years ago, and it was always a joy to have a conversation with him and catch up. My deepest condolences go out to the family at this time.

Kush Mathur

July 20, 2021

I still can’t believe that Dr. Suer is no more. He was such a wonderful person with a heart full of compassion. He played a vital role in my life. He gave me an opportunity and believed in me. His legacy will last forever among his students whose life he has changed for better. My deepest condolences to Suer family (Ayse, Ozan, Roman, Lara), we pray to the Almighty to rest his soul in peace.

Demet Özata Gösterili

July 19, 2021

Segili arkadam Gürsel, bunca yldan sonra tam Bahçelievler ilkokul arkadalar birbirimizi bulma sevincini yaarken bu ac haberle sarsldk. Hepimiz derin üzüntü içindeyiz. Ein Ayey’e ve evlatlarna sabr diliyorum. Gittiin yerde huzur içinde ol arkadam.

Marlene Shostak

July 19, 2021

My heartfelt condolences to the Suer family.

Seyma Inal

July 19, 2021

Rest in peace Gursel isiklar icinde uyu ilk okul resimlerimizdeki bakisin hep hatiramizda kalacak
Bahcelievler Ilk Okulu Arkadaslarin seni unutmayacak

Diana Davila

July 18, 2021

You will always be remembered. You were a great professor but better human being. It was a delight to have you as my professor in Mayagüez. Thank you for everything. You made a difference in the lives of your students. Thank you for your kindness. Rest in peace.

Jing HUANG

July 17, 2021

Words just can't say enough. Ayse and the family, we mourn with you and pray for your strength through this painful loss. Dr. Suer was the greatest teacher and mentor who lightened up many people’s lives. May his soul rest in peace. God bless you all.

Tom King

July 17, 2021

So sorry for the families loss. I will miss him greatly as he was a great friend.

Nural AKCHURIN

July 17, 2021

Bu satrlar derin üzüntü içinde yazyorum. Gürsel’le dostluum ilk ve ortaokula kadar gider. Hüseyin hocann snfndan, orta okulda Rasim hocann matematik dersine dek. Elli yl kadar. Bir zamanlar birlikte gitar çaldmz da olmutu. Hala saklarm Gürsel’in verdii bir paçay, “Mi Favorita”, anonim, ho bir melodi. Bir iki ay önce Zoom ile ilkokul arkadalar bir araya gelip eski günleri yad etmitik. Çok güzel sohbet etmitik.

Aye’ye ve dier aile üyelerine, bütün dostlara basal diliyorum. Elden birey gelmiyor. Gürsel içtenlii ve zerafeti ile hepimizin hayatna dokundu, zenginletirdi, anlam kazandrd. Ama niye böyle erken imdi onsuz devam etmek gerek. Hepimize metanet diliyorum.

Lorena Carlson

July 17, 2021

I am so sorry to hear about Gursel's passing. My heartfelt sympathy and love to his wife, Ayse, and his whole family. I know he embraced life and lived it filled with love for his family and others. God bless you all at this sad time.

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