Daniel "Dan" F. Jankowski

Tempe - Daniel "Dan" F. Jankowski, 84, of Tempe, Arizona, peacefully passed away at his home on November 10, 2020. Born in Hamtramck, Michigan, on June 15, 1936, to Daniel and Virginia, he grew up in Detroit, Michigan. After finishing high school Dan proudly served in the United States Army. After leaving the Army he enrolled at the University of Michigan, where he earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in engineering. It was at Michigan where Dan met, on a blind date, the love of his life - Betty - who would become his wife of 62 years. After finishing school Dan and his family moved to Tempe, Arizona, where he joined the engineering faculty at Arizona State University. During his 40 years at ASU Dan held numerous roles as a professor and administrator and won many awards for his teaching performance. Besides family Dan had many passions in his life, including date nights in Scottsdale with his wife, living it up in Las Vegas, listening to Frank Sinatra, reading detective novels, watching his Michigan Wolverines play football, and traveling to Lake Tahoe and La Jolla. Dan is survived by his wife Betty, his three children (David, Betsy, and Kathleen), six grandchildren (Sarah, Thomas, Allison, Cali, Joey, and Connie), one great grandchild (Rose), his brother and sister-in-law (David & Gwladys), three nephews (Jason, Michael, and Matthew), and his beloved cat Cooner. He is predeceased by his son Michael. Due to COVID a celebration of his life will be scheduled later. Donations in Dan's name can be made to The Daniel Jankowski Endowment in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University: https://www.asufoundation.org/education-and-scholarship/donor-named-funds/daniel-jankowski-endowment-CA100781.html.

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Published by The Arizona Republic from Nov. 13 to Nov. 26, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Daniel Jankowski

Sponsored by Tempe Mortuary - Tempe.

14 Entries

David Jankowski

November 7, 2025

Hey dad! I sure hope you are doing well. I miss you very much.

Aaron Ginn

December 18, 2021

Dr. Jankowski was my professor of fluid mechanics in 1993. He had a profound impact on my life and the students that he taught. While tough, he was always fair and expected the best of his students.

When I heard that he was retiring, I sent him an email thanking him for his instruction. I didn't expect a personal response, but Dr. Jankowski wrote back thanking me for the note and then invited me to lunch with him at the faculty restaurant in Old Main - a memory I will always treasure.

Dr. Jankowski touched the lives of countless students who came under his instruction. I'm sure he's thumbing through his stack of 3x5 notecards in the afterlife.

Robert Jones

October 6, 2021

Doctor Jankowski was my partial differential equations & advanced fluid mechanics professor. He opened my eyes on how to solve problems in math, engineering and life. He affected how I conducted myself through my entire career in aerospace engineering. The things he taught me and his example of integrity, helped me influence companies and colleagues, and I believe it saved lives . He was so meticulous, that even today, I can't write a tribute to him without worrying that I might have made a composition, grammar or punctuation error. He is definitely the best teacher I ever had. Though I have not spoken to him for over 35 years, I will miss him. I'm grateful to have known him.

Daniel E. Rivera

December 26, 2020

I learned a few weeks' ago with great sadness of Dan Jankowski passing. Dan was already a "known commodity" in the MAE Department of the then ASU College of Engineering and Applied Sciences when I joined the CBME faculty in 1990; he became Associate Dean for Academic Affairs upon George Beakley's retirement. In this job he had many thankless responsibilities (like recruiting faculty to teach freshman engineering courses) but one thing was clear: he was an individual of high standards and integrity; one always knew were he stood on issues, and he was dedicated to making ASU Engineering a better place. I recall the year that he served as interim dean, a duty he capably performed. After his retirement he had an office in the Goldwater Center and I would talk to him from time to time. To his family I say that while many of the current Fulton Schools faculty did not have any interaction with Dan, those of us who did are appreciative of his efforts, and are better professors because of him.

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Jim McGrath

December 6, 2020

Dr. Jankowski taught me two semesters of fluid mechanics in the early 90's. These courses were profound experiences, as were my interactions with the man himself. Dr. Jankowski terrified me and he knew it. But he taught me how to think, the meaning of rigor, and he unearthed a determination and capacity for self-reliance I didn't know I had. He then became a friend and an advocate in ways that propelled my life and my career. As a college professor myself, I have referred to my old notes from his class when preparing 'fluids' courses of my own. I was just moving them a couple of weeks ago for more safe-keeping. I'm sad to hear of Dr. J's passing. But I'm pleased to be able to share my gratitude for his life and his one-of-a-kind abilities as a teacher.

James McGrath

Randy Truman

December 2, 2020

Dan Jankowski was a rigorous instructor, dedicated mentor, and generous friend. He inspired me to pursue a Ph.D. and an academic career. As I prepared classnotes, lectured, graded and counseled students, he was my model. His personal integrity and love for family were also inspiring. In times of personal crisis, he provided sage wisdom and encouragement. To Betty, his children and grandchildren, thank you for sharing him.

Prabhath De Silva

November 25, 2020

It is sad to hear passing of Prof J.
He was unique in his style. As a fresh grad student at ASU, I enjoyed the logic and rigor with which he taught MAE571, and now that I am a teacher I try to follow those steps.
May his soul rest in peace.

November 24, 2020

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Harindra Joseph Fernando

November 22, 2020

I met Professor J during a memorable February night in 1984, upon arrival in Tempe for an interview visit. He was the chair of the Faculty Search, and Betty and Professor J graciously hosted my visit. It took a bit of time to get accustomed to his uncharacteristic (my wife says Jankowski style) humor and mischievous smile, but quickly I got to know him well - his noble qualities, including academic rigor as well as unselfish, unassuming and benevolent disposition. He was a great mentor and a sage advisor to the incoming faculty. He willingly edited all my grant proposals and papers, from day one until he moved to the Dean’s office. More so, he was a giant personality among students, some stood in awe of his presence and insightful questions but later admired his commitment. He spent Saturday mornings in the office, carefully grading homework, providing written feedback to each student. He sought to train students holistically, not just in the subject matter. He identified intrinsic strengths of students, and discussed with them potential professional pathways. Everyone mattered to him. For multitudes who went through his training - students and young professors alike - Professor J is icon who will be remembered with heartfelt gratitude. May his soul Rest in Peace!

I fondly attach two pictures, one showing (then) Dean of Engineering Professor J handing over a souvenir for my decade of service at ASU and another taken on December 28, 2018, after having breakfast with Betty and Professor J at one of his favorite restaurant T Cooks.

Bradley A Volkmann

November 17, 2020

To the family of Dr. J, I can't tell you how much of a positive influence Dr. J has had on my life, and what great (and frightening!) memories I had of his class (Fluids Today with Dr. J!). I was one of the thousands of engineers that he taught, and I would not be in my position today, a Chief Engineer at a major aerospace company, if it weren't for him. The funny thing is, at the time most of us hated the seemingly strict rules we operated under ("Each word on your homework must be part of a grammatically correct English sentence..."), but it taught me so much about "the real world" and how it worked, and more importantly what you had to do to succeed. My brother said it best: "After I took his class, I felt like an Engineer. Before that, I was just faking it." And to my fellow students: I'll bet you that you can got to your notes, if you still have them, from the first day of fluids class. On it will be written that the objective of the class was "To be able to predict a quantity of interest." It's on mine, it's on my brother's from 5 years earlier, and I'll be it's on yours. Were you an "A" row student, or a "D" row student? And do you remember those 3x5 cards with your name on it, that he used to pick people to answer questions? And the dreaded "Shuffle Day," when he got to the end of the deck, and shuffled the cards. Where is my card? Do I get a simple question? Am I up early, or later? I could go on for pages, but all I can really say is Thank You Dr. Jankowski. No other professor positively influenced my life and career more than you.

November 16, 2020

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Kathy

November 16, 2020

I love you, Dad.

Betsy

November 16, 2020

I love you Dad! Little packs of peanut m&m’s and talks are treasured and missed!

David Jankowski

November 14, 2020

I love you dad, and I miss you very much.

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