The Observer, September 2, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1
Case mourns the loss of "Doc Oc"; fall memorial planned in his memory
On Saturday, May 14, chemistry professor Dr. Ignacio J. Ocasio suddenly passed away from a heart attack at age 53. Students, friends, and faculty mourned the death of one of Case's most celebrated professors, known to many as "Doc Oc," on Wednesday, May 25 at the Hovorka Atrium.
Though thousands of students have taken his introduction to general chemistry course since his arrival at Case in 1980, students and faculty knew him as more than just a chemistry professor. In addition to his love and passion for teaching and chemistry, Professor Ocasio was a classically trained pianist. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ocasio grew up playing the piano under the guidance of his grandmother and the famous Spanish cellist Pablo Casals.
The memorial on May 25 began with several speeches by Case administrators, including Case President Edward M. Hundert and Dean Julie Amon. One by one, the speeches expressed sorrow and loss.
"His students have been infected by his energy, enthusiasm and dedication," President Hundert said. During her speech, Dean Amon said, "Many of us remember him as an excellent teacher, a great advisor, and a great mentor, but I think most importantly we will always remember him as a wonderful friend."
Sharing the same feelings as Dean Amon, a neighbor of Doc Oc's stepped up to the podium and narrated her experiences with Doc Oc. She reminisced about watching basketball games, drinking good beer, talking about his students, and laughing about the ironies of life. "He always made me laugh…he was one of those people who always made you happy," she said.
During the memorial, a friend who once took piano lessons with Ocasio and is a current professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music played one of Chopin's piano sonatas. As each note reverberated through the atrium, many shed tears. Mourners comforted one another, filled with memories of the well-loved chemistry professor.
As the last note resounded, a heavy silence fell upon the crowd. Students were then able to share their thoughts of and memorable experiences with Professor Ocasio at the podium.
Though many students at the memorial did not give speeches, they all reminisced about their professor, advisor, and friend among themselves. "He was just the best teacher I ever had. He would even advise students who didn't have him as an advisor," said Nan Tian. "He made me feel like I could easily handle the hardest material in chemistry," said Peter Chung.
From the first day of classes to the last day of the semester, Ocasio made an effort to help each of his students with chemistry and to get to know them on a personal level.
As a tradition, Professor Ocasio visited students in the freshman residence halls throughout every semester.
"At the beginning of every year, I visit all of the residence halls one by one, and I schedule a day and time to meet with commuters in my classes…It's important to me to meet all of my students individually. After my initial round of visits to the dorms, I keep going back throughout the year, especially around the time of exams," Ocasio said once in a Case publication.
For his dedication and passion, Ocasio's teaching was recognized with a number of awards: the Undergraduate Student Government Teaching Award in 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997 and 2000 and the Carl F. Wittke Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in 1993.
Professor Ocasio was as dedicated to the entire Case community as he was to his chemistry classes. Outside of class, he served as an advisor to the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and the first-year class team for the annual Hudson Relays, as an organizer for the Northeast Ohio Regional Science Olympiad, and a judge for the annual Mr. CWRU contest.
Doc Oc will always be remembered as an integral part of the Case community and the memories of his kindness and wisdom will be passed on throughout the years. A fall memorial in memory of Doc Oc will be held on Oct. 8 at the Amasa Stone Chapel. The service will be held at 10 a.m. The reception will be at 11:30 a.m.
