Dear Members of the SCU Community,

I am sorry to share the news that Professor Emeritus Dragoslav Siljak, Electrical Engineering, died on November 16. A long-time faculty member at SCU and acclaimed educator and researcher, Professor Siljak leaves behind his wife Dragana, children Ana and Matija, and five grandchildren, as well as many  friends and colleagues who treasured him. We take time to remember his full life and many gifts. 

Born in Serbia in 1933, Professor Siljak experienced first-hand the effects of World War II and its aftermath in the Cold War. Overcoming significant obstacles, he earned a doctorate degree and conducted breakthrough research in control systems at the University of Belgrade. In 1964, he came to the United States and joined the electrical engineering faculty at Santa Clara University, where he taught for the next 48 years. In collaboration with faculty member G.J. Thaler at SCU, Professor Siljak’s research in control systems attracted grants from NASA for many years, including work on the Saturn V rocket that launched Apollo 11 astronauts to the moon. Over the years he applied his expertise in control theory to a variety of different areas, including electric power systems, large space structures, population biology, economics and the arms race.

Professor Siljak’s work on decentralized control and large-scale dynamic systems brought him both national and international recognition. In 2010 he received the Richard E. Bellman Control Heritage Award, which is considered to be the most prestigious award in the field of control systems. He was also named a Lifetime Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) (1981), was selected as a Distinguished Professor of the Fulbright Foundation (1984), and became an International Member of the Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences (1985). At SCU, Professor Siljak held the Benjamin and Mae Swig University Chair from 1983 to 2012. He was honored as the Faculty Senate Professor in 1995, and was named a Centennial Award recipient by the SCU School of Engineering in 2011.

Professor Siljak’s notable successes were not limited to teaching and engineering research. He was the youngest member of the Yugoslav water polo team that won the Silver Medal at the 1952 Olympics. In the course of a sports career that spanned more than 10 years, he played for a number of clubs that won domestic and international trophies.  

While we have lost a wonderful member of our community, we also give thanks for the gift of Professor Siljak’s life. 

Notes of condolence may be sent to Professor Siljak’s family, care of Professor Aleksandar Zecevic in the School of Engineering. 

Please keep Professor Siljak and his family in your prayers. May he rest in peace. 

Julie Sullivan
President