Rafael Lucea, an admired professor of international business at the George Washington University, died last weekend after a two-year battle with brain cancer. He was 49.
Dr. Lucea “lived for his family” said Liesl Riddle, a teaching assistant professor of international business. That family included not only his wife Marguerite and sons Marc and Lars but also his students at GW.
“He pushed his students hard to expand their horizons and develop themselves professionally,” Dr. Riddle said. “I still remember the joy in his face when he would relay to me another success story of one of his former students doing great things in the world.”
Originally from Spain, Dr. Lucea joined the GW School of Business after receiving a Ph.D. in strategy and international management from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Colleagues say that he brought professional expertise in global strategy, a passion for teaching and a fun spirit into the classroom.
“He came into academia later in his life and that was a huge benefit to a professional school,” said Scheherazade Rehman, a professor of international business. “Rafael’s experience and his ability to articulate that knowledge to all levels of students was invaluable. The students loved his straight forward, no-nonsense classroom work ethic and his dark sense of humor.”
Sam Rockman, M.B.A.’13, said that he, like many of his classmates, was “instantly drawn” to his former professor. Mr. Rockman traveled with Dr. Lucea to Peru as a part of the business school’s Consulting Abroad Program.
“He possessed a zest for life that was infectious,” Mr. Rockman said. “And his fun-loving nature made even difficult times enjoyable.”
Outside of the classroom, Dr. Lucea was an accomplished swimmer and runner, who competed in the Pittsburgh Marathon, the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon, among many other races. He was diagnosed with a fast-growing type of malignant brain tumor in January 2013 while training for an Ironman Triathlon, just two weeks after the birth of his second child.
Despite his diagnosis, Dr. Lucea continued to stay active and connected to the GW community. On Oct. 27, 2013, he joined close to 100 other runners from the GW Cancer Institute team in the Marine Corps Marathon. He raised $2,135 for the institute—the highest total raised by any single member of the GW team.
Dr. Riddle said that Dr. Lucea pushed everyone he knew to be “better versions of themselves.”
“That is his legacy. His life was tragically too short but it made an incredible impact,” she said. “There are so many of us living lives deeply enriched by his example.”
The Lucea family along with alumni and GWSB community members attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Professor's Gate on Monday. The ceremony was followed by a viewing of the university flag at Rice Hall, which will be flown at half-staff in honor of Dr. Lucea. Per Dr. Lucea's request, attendees were dressed in bright colors to celebrate his vibrant life.
Students, faculty, staff and friends of the Luceas can make a donation to support the family.
