Comments on: Willie Zuniga ’17

By: Maria Torres

Maria Torres — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 01:32:01 +0000

La comunidad Latina de Claremont esta de luto por la perdida de Willie, quien fue gran amigo, lider, mentor, brillante estudiante y persona honorable. Su inteligencia era sin igual, con una sonrisa siempre en los labios, el llenaba de alegria nuestros corazones. Wille que siempre estaba enfocado en sus estudios y deseaba ser profesor para alludar a su familia adorada. Willie fue un joven respetado y admirado por todos. Hoy el cielo amanecio llorando y nosotros lloramos tambien porque Willie ahora es un estrella en el firmamento.

By: Michael Storrie-Lombardi, M.D. (Ret.)

Michael Storrie-Lombardi, M.D. (Ret.) — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 17:34:21 +0000

Willie loved physics. He worked with me on several projects infusing each of them with joy, hope, and enthusiasm. At the time of his death he was deeply involved in our Engineering Clinic project for City of Hope Department of Surgery to develop a laser spectroscopy technique that could rapidly identify breast cancer. His talent, his joy were such gifts to us all – I just miss him, but will always, always remember. Hugs to all. Mike

By: Erica Quinn

Erica Quinn — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 04:25:21 +0000

Willie was a very understated person. He would do wonderful things for people, and make them sound small and easy. In one of our weekly Mentor-Proctor meetings, he casually mentioned that he’d spent one whole day of his weekend with somebody who was having a tough time, but he said it in such a way that I almost didn’t notice that that was something special. He was willing to give anything to help people. I never heard him say a negative thing about anybody, and there wasn’t a person he didn’t care about.

At the beginning of the school year I was having a hard time, and Willie was there to support me. He made me feel so comfortable that I immediately opened up to him. One of his strongest skills was being a good listener. Instead of trying to fix the situation, he validated my feelings, and he made me feel less alone.

He encouraged our Mentor-Proctor team to be closer to each other. My favorite thing that we did together was telling our life stories. It was amazing to hear what he’d already accomplished and how excited he was about some of the things he did.

He was a beautiful soul, and I don’t fully understand his loss yet. Even though he didn’t get to do all of the good that he had planned, he still had a tremendous impact on the Mudd community and the people who knew him. I hope to go forward with the love I have for him and use it to help others as he would have done. All my love to his family and friends during this inconceivably difficult time.

By: The Reeve Family

The Reeve Family — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 23:45:21 +0000

Our sympathy to the Zuniga family. Our son enjoyed being Willie’s friend and appreciated Willie’s leadership at Atwood. Willie has made a strong positive impact on the lives of many others and blessed those who had the opportunity to know him.

By: The Echevarria Family

The Echevarria Family — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 23:16:38 +0000

Our deepest condolences to the Zuniga family and to the HMC family in this difficult time.

By: Melissa M.

Melissa M. — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 09:12:12 +0000

During the summer of 2015, I had the pleasure of hearing Willie talk about his research on dark matter. I didn’t understand very much (any of it) but I remember smiling as I heard him speak so excitedly about his work. Rest in Power with the stars, friend.

By: Josie Martin

Josie Martin — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 07:21:51 +0000

My condolences to your family Guillermo, may his soul rest in everlasting peace ?

By: Cyndia Sweet

Cyndia Sweet — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 20:48:10 +0000

I did not know your son but I do know that he was having the time of his life at Harvey Mudd. God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

By: Joe Laubach

Joe Laubach — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 17:25:36 +0000

My condolences to Willie’s family, friends, and the HMC community.

By: Elizabeth Stoltzfus

Elizabeth Stoltzfus — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 08:15:35 +0000

I want to offer my condolences to Willie’s family and friends. It brings up memories of the student who was lost during my time at HMC. I am grateful to HMC for the excellent support it provides its students, faculty, and staff. I hope that the passage of time will ease the grief…