I am so shocked to hear about my Advisor, mentor, great Friend, and Guru, Professor Mica passing away in 2016, October 24. I fact, I regret terribly first for coming to know of his passing so very late in life and second for not keeping in touch with him at all after 1991. It just happened today morning that I was browsing for my publications and came across his obituary page. Me and CP Narayan were his first students in Clemson. I was so fortunate, grateful and thankful to Professor for offering me the Teaching assistantship without which I would never have been able to come to US from India.

I went back to India in 1999 November and have visited US 4-5 times. I have been wanting to visit Clemson whenever I was in the US but for one reason or another could not do it as mostly, I used to be in the west coast.

Yeah, I do have very fond memories of Professor Mica, having spent about 2.5 years at Clemson and meeting him at least once every week from Aug 1989 till Dec 1991 for my M.S. degree. I still distinctly remember when he first invited CP Narayan and myself for our First Thanksgiving dinner in 1989 at his place. When I told him that I don't eat meat at all, he quipped, "What Tangrila, you never ate meat all your Life. How did you survive man?" and then he called his wife immediately and told her to make some Vegetarian dishes. It was an experience for me and could not believe the love and affection with which he was serving around and joking and making us laugh all through. And at the end, he couldn't take it that I had only veg food, so he scooped up the grated and cooked carrot from inside the big baked turkey and put it on my plate and said, "Thats vegetarian, so you can eat". And I obliged him and ate that grated carrot. I can never forget this experience in my Life. What a great human being he was! He had a brilliant genius mind in making sense of seemingly random experimental data and correlating with theories that always left me amazing! When it came to work, he demanded the best and often chided us lovingly, "What you don't know even this basic simple thing. How did you pass out of IIT man?". He made a man out of me and to this I truly owe him very much that can never ever be able to repay!!

As my colleague and friend CP Narayan mentioned, that memorable trip to Oak Ridge National Laboratories in Nashville Tennesse to conduct our advanced experiments - High Temperature X-ray Diffraction and publishing a paper on the results we gathered and acknowledging the technicians there by mentioning their names on the paper as well. All goes to show how generous and a humble human being he was!

How I wish I should have met him at least once after I graduated in 1991.
Rest in peace Professor Mica. Hope you will pardon me for not getting in touch with at all after 1991. It's just the memories that remain forever.. Om Shanti!!

With much Love and Affection
Srinivas Tangirala

We are Jun&Yinlin, we both are very good friends of Mica&Wenqi. Jun did his research work at MT around 1980s, together with Mica, in Prof. Owen’s group. Also, we had dinner together when Mica attended a conference at MIT. We are very sad to just know our dear friend Mica passed away 7 years ago. Our heart was broken. Please give our best condolence to Wenqi and all Mica family. 

Rest in peace Professor. Thank you

I was blessed to have had Dr. Grujicic for a class as a young engineering student at Clemson. He had a great impact on me personally and I am forever thankful to have crossed paths with him. He impacted many lives. Rest in peace.

Dear Prof Grujicic,
You are my Guru and are with me all the time.  What you have taught me is the guiding light for the way I try to lead my life, and I am ever so very grateful to you.  My prayers, reverences, saashtanga namaskarams to you. 
C.P. Narayan

I still remember Dr. Grujicic and what a kind man he was. I worked as his administrative assistant for several years and never heard an unkind word about him. You are all still in my thoughts and prayers.

Professor Mica Grujicic will always be in my thoughts and prayers. A Guru (teacher) in every sense of the word, Professor Grujicic has impacted me intensely. Saashtanga Pranaams to you. 

A few years before Mica left us, Prof. Tony Reynolds and I visited him at Clemson University. During our stay, it was clear that Mica was not feeling well. Even though he was under the weather, he stayed with us for several hours, discussing his friction stir welding research and how we might be able to collaborate. He even brought in lunch for us and only occasionally left to deal with his problems. When we left later in the day, both of us were deeply affected by his commitment to hosting us in the face of his personal difficulties. Even today, recollection of our visit with Mica causes both of us pause, and reminds us that we should try and do better when faced with our own problems.

I heard about the passing of Mica very late, the long distance you see. I met Mica in 1985 when I joined the Olson-Cohen group at MIT and started working with the SRG on transformation toughening. I collaborated with him tightly and became good friends. Worked together and published together. We were the first to explore computational thermodynamics and the new then ThermoCalc. I have only good memories of him. He was an inspiring personality and very human.

I met Mica in 2005 in Clemson University. We spoke many times about Belgrade, war in Yugoslavia, metallurgy, and future of science. He was very smart, brilliant professor. RIP.

Happy Heavenly Birthday Dr. Grujicic.

It was most overwhelming meeting Mrs Wenqi Grujicic a few months ago, thanks to Angela Grujicic. Professor Mica Grujicic was a phenomenal part of my life and shall always be in my heart and prayers.
Namaskarams to my Guru.

Happy Heavenly Birthday Dr. Grujicic.

It was so sad that I paused my work for a moment when I learned, so late, of loss of Mica. When I left Clemson in 2008, he was well. I regret that I did not keep in touch for several years. He was indeed bright and hard working scholar. At Clemson he was one of a few whom I could trust. He was a colleague whom I could rely on serving on committees and publishing journal papers as a co-author. It was my honor to be his friend, colleague, and co-author. I’ll miss him dearly.

Some years ago, around this season, I had a walk with Mica. We had a slow walk toward the center of our school. What we talked, I do not remember -- but his signature, being humous in his own way, seeing the lighter side of things, and being humble, is still fresh to me until this day.

Remembering Dr. Grujicic on the anniversary of his passing. He was one of the most kindest people I have ever known.

I remember receiving a letter signed M.Grujicic, way back in the summer of 1989, in Mumbai, India, offering me a teaching assistantship at the Mechanical Engineering department at Clemson University. I joined his research team that fall and worked in his area of research which was "exploratory" then - Transformation Toughening of Ti-Al-V alloys. I remember our weekly meetings on Wednesdays when he would thoroughly evaluate the work he had assigned to me... he was undoubtedly one of the most brilliant minds I had come across. We worked in building the arc-melting furnace and I successfully completed my Masters in 1991. We went to Oak Ridge Laboratories together with my colleague, Srinivas Tangirala for a week long tryst with Transmission Electron Microscopy. He offered me an opportunity for doctoral studies, but I returned to India in 1991. I remember him coming to the department late evenings with his loving wife and darling daughter Angela. I have been meaning to visit Clemson for quite a while now, but alas, I just came to know of his passing. Prof Grujicic has always been in my prayers and shall forever continue to be. My namaskarams and respects to you, Prof Grujicic.

During my professional career of over 38 years I have not  known any material scientist  whose fundamental knowledge is so strong that one can talk to him on a complex problem and after listening to your problem, he will provide a practical solution. Dr. Grujicic was such a gifted and talented person. As a very dear friend, I miss him very much.

Happy Birthday in Heaven Dr. Grujicic. I miss you. Kathryn

Mica was a good friend, a guy who had an adamant way about him, but with a special sense of humor. As we began forming the curriculum for what became the ICAR Automotive Engineering program, Mica was put in charge of managing the many inputs and tasks from many busy and opinionated people. He called me to his office one day and asked “Do you spell czar ’T-S-A-R’ or ‘C-Z-A-R’?” I was a little intimidated but told him either was ok. He also wanted to know the implication of the German “von.” I remained confused until the curriculum team received our instruction documents, signed “Mica von Grujicic, the I-CZAR!”. He led us with a strong hand, but good humor, and it had a great result. He ended up being the most selfless supporter of young faculty that I met at Clemson, and we all owe him a debt for getting us started in the right direction.

I was a senior in ME in 1994, and Dr. Grujicic was on my senior project jury/mentor team. It was a fun project with good quality time as students and faculty. I really did enjoy getting to know him through that experience. His way of expressing himself was always helpful, and often included a flair of good humor which seemed funnier with his great accent. God bless the family. Peace and comfort to you.

Dr. Grujicic’s passing away is very shocking and sad moment for me. His passing away is a great loss to the engineering research community, Clemson University and students. He was my advisor, teacher and friend who has guided me in all walks of life. His intelligence, humility, simplicity, frankness, kindness, humor and hard-working abilities are very unique to him. I have never come across another person with all those qualities in one individual. I consider myself fortunate to be his student.
He was a role model for me and my peers in this group. He will live on in the memories of those who knew him. We will always remember Professor Grujicic. My sincere condolences to Mrs. Grujicic and Angela. Best wishes to the family.
Regards,
Guru

Mica is very special to me: he was on the search committee for my hiring at Clemson, and he had been my mentor for more than nine years until I moved. I was so blessed to have Mica be my mentor for my Clemson years, precisely, my only mentor thus far. I clearly remembered that he never said no to my meeting requests, and each meeting typically lasted two or three hours, a few times each semester with his insightful advice lightening and guiding me through my growth. In addition to his advice on teaching, research, service, and academic life, Mica always tried to inspire me to be a good citizen and scholar while sharing with me many life lessons and stories like a big brother. His mentorship and resilient life attitude will be appreciated by me forever.

Dear Angela,

I hope you and your mother will be wrapped in loving arms to help guide you through the coming months. Know I am always here if you need a listener on the mourning bench.

I am sadden tremendously by the passing of Mica. Mica is among the most intelligent people I have met, yet he is also among the most humble person I have come across. He cared for his junior colleagues like me and never hesitated to offer genuine help. Authentic and to-the-point in technical conversation and genuine in private chat, he lived an authentic life. 

May you rest in peace, Mica.

To solve any engineering problem, break it down into simpler parts and solve something simple first and fully understand it. Only then, you can use the solution of the consitituent parts to solve the bigger problem. This principle applies to any problem, not just engineering. This was Dr. Grujicic's biggest lesson taught to me during my research under his guidance which changed my perspective. You will always stay in our minds for, your teachings have become our way of life. Rest in Peace!

Rest in Peace Dr. Grujicic! I always admired your kindness, quick wit, and brilliance. Physically you could not see well but I respect you as a man of great vision. Research & Teaching was your passion as well as your dear Wen-qi & darling Angela. As I think of you, "Valiant" comes to my mind. Your dedication, interest in others, and pure heart made such an impact on us all. I miss you.

Mica was a friend and colleague who dealt with his physical difficulties with such grace and honesty that it uplifted anyone who knew him and was aware of the strength and character he had to exhibit every day. I visited Mica a few years ago to see how we could collaborate in one of our common areas of interest. Mica politely noted that it would be difficult for us (note he did not worry about himself) due to his inability to travel and the long lead times that would be necessary to review the research. Though we never had the opportunity to work together, I am thankful that I knew Mica, as his commitment to life and his continued search for knowledge under some of the most trying circumstances will always be with me.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Grujicic. I have many memories of him when I worked in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He was always kind to everyone. My sincere condolences to the Grujicic family in this time of sorrow. I will always remember him fondly.

Mica and I were contemporary at MIT, where we had many fantastic moments together, some of them I remember in the "stories" part of this memorial. It was a real shock to know about his passing away and all I can say is that he was a great friend, with a fantastic sense of humor and the most hard working person I have ever met. I extend my condolences to his family and, Mica, rest in peace, you deserve it.

Mica was a great friend, collaborator, and colleague. He was the hardest working and most productive faculty member I have ever known and stood as a model for all of us. He always had a kind word and was supportive of all his colleagues and his devoted graduate students. I retired in Jan and, not being in the loop the past few months, was surprised and saddened to hear of his passing. My best wishes to the family.

I was fortunate to work under Dr. Grujicic's supervision for a year. I am shocked and sad that I lost a great mentor. He was a brilliant and an amazing person. I would always remember him for his passion and enthusiasm.
We will miss you. Rest in peace Sir!

Very sad news.
Dr. Grujicic was my graduate advisor and god sent mentor.
I am forever thankful for his invaluable teachings.
My most treasured lesson from Dr. Grujicic: science is very simple.
This lesson gives me confidence to go and excel at work every day.
He will always be in my memories.
My heartfelt condolences to his family.
-Anand Hariharan

Yi and I are shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Mica. It is still hard for me to believe that he has left us. Mica was well respected by his colleagues inside and outside of the university, not only for his high-quality research, but also for his wisdom and integrity. He has given me help on numerous occasions over the years. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to know him well. I grieve the loss of such a colleague and a dear friend. Our hearts go out to Wen-qi and Angela. We will miss you, Mica.

Chenning

So so sorry to hear about Mica's passing. He was a wonderful colleague and friend for many years. Mary and I send our heart-felt condolences to Wen-qi and Angela.
Sincerely
Imtiaz

I was so shocked to hear about passing of Dr.Grujicic... It was such a great honor for me to work in his group as a graduate student. He was super intelligent and absolutely a legend in the research field. Till today, I still miss his influence, his inspiring power, his humor and all the guidance he gave to me. Without his help, I won't become who I am today. It is so sad to see him go, and he will be forever remembered and missed.

Dr.Grujicic, rest in peace

Dr. Grujicic, thank you for your support in my life. I would not be where I am today without you. It's sad to see you depart but you will always be cherished in our memories. RIP

I was fortunate enough to enjoy a class with Dr. Grujicic during my time at Clemson. His sense of humor and immense knowledge made attending class a joy. Academia and Clemson University have lost a great asset with his passing. Rest in peace.

Dr.Grujicic was an inspiring professor ! He always encouraged the students to think out of box. He is one of the most patient and kind persons I have seen! We will miss you all sir!

Dr. Grujicic was an inspiring person! As a student I learnt so much from him. He inspired a way of thinking and problem solving that becomes a way of life for his students. I have never seen a more dedicated man. As students we try to achieve a fraction of what he did. You will be missed sir! You will stay in our hearts forever through your teachings!

Dr.Grujicic was one of the smartest people in academia. He was very tough and sometimes hard to work with, but he had a big pure heart, always trying to help people. He will always be missed. Rest in peace.

Mica, dear neighbor, we will miss seeing you walking around with your loyal dog and occasionally talking to you.
RIP