It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Felipe Gorostiza, a valued and long-time member of the Urban Studies faculty. Felipe succumbed to Covid-19 virus on April 15, 2020.
Felipe began teaching in Urban Studies in 1991, when, as a Ph.D. student in City Planning, we recruited him to take on the course Introduction to City Planning: Planning Urban Places. Over the years, he taught a number of other courses, including Urban Redevelopment and Comparative Urbanism. In his teaching, Felipe drew on his academic training as an historian of planning, his practical experience in the field, and his expressive talents honed as an actor (his other and perhaps equal passion). The students in his Spring 2020 Intro to Planning class told us how he “made the readings come alive” in his lectures and in leading discussion. Felipe would stop in to the office before his class and share with us his good humor and latest exploits on the stage and screen. We are devastated at this tremendous loss both for the program and for his family and those of us who knew Felipe personally.
Here is a longer profile that The Almanac put together: https://almanac.upenn.edu/articles/felipe-gorostiza-sas
Here is a video that Felipe's nephew compiled (and created the score for): https://vimeo.com/412014565
Urban Studies plans to host a memorial gathering for some time in the future when it is safe to do so. We will provide you with information about the event and contacts for condolences when possible.
NOTE: Following the death of our colleague, we want to make sure you are aware of Penn's Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This free and confidential program provides assistance with issues and challenges that may arise in personal or professional. Telephonic one-on-one counseling is available through a wide network of behavioral health professionals in the Philadelphia region, including New Jersey and Delaware. You can reach the EAP 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling 1-866-799-2329.
Student resources for support include:
CAPS clinicians: 215-898-7021
Penn HELP Line: 215-898-HELP
Office of the Chaplain: 215-898-8456
Student Intervention Services (SIS): 215-898-6081