Erika

It was a solemn day as members of the university community gathered for a celebration of life for Dr. Erika Matulich. Erika passed away recently after fighting a courageous battle against cancer.

Erika was a Professor at UT for almost two decades. She was tough as nails. She worked her students to death to enable them to discover their true potential. And they appreciated her ways — certainly after they graduated. She was a committed teacher, a prolific researcher and very good at her craft.

I met her parents at this celebration of her life, and my heart went out to her mother who had a lost, bewildered, look in her eyes. It’s not supposed to be this way. Mom’s and Dad’s are not supposed to bury their children. The pain in her mothers eyes was stark. My heart goes to John and to her family. We lost a good one, way too early. Rest In Peace Erika.
We will miss you.