Peter Luh, an emeritus professor in the University of Connecticut School of Engineering known for his leadership and pioneering research in electrical engineering, passed away on November 28, 2022.
Luh joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1980 after graduating from Harvard University with his doctorate in applied mathematics. He earned his undergraduate degree from the National Taiwan University and a master’s from MIT.
He served as the head of the department from 2006-2009 and as director of the Booth Research Center for Advanced Technology. Luh was recognized as a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor in 2018. He retired in December 2020, but remained an active contributor to the department and the school.
“Peter’s passing saddens me deeply,” says UConn President Radenka Maric. “He had many outstanding accomplishments as a faculty member at UConn and served as a mentor to numerous students and fellow faculty.”
Luh was well known for his research contributions particularly in optimization for power systems, smart grids, smart buildings, and intelligent manufacturing. His pioneering work has made a lasting impact in the power systems industry.
Even after retirement, he continued his research and advising graduate students. Luh had also taken on numerous leadership positions in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He served on numerous societies within IEEE, including control systems, robotics and automation, and the power and energy societies. He was also chair of the IEEE Technical Activities Board Periodicals Committee, overseeing 190 journals and magazines.
Luh was a tireless worker, known for sending emails in the middle of the night, leaving the daytime to focus on his research.
“While we have lost a great colleague and friend, and renowned scientist, we pay tribute and celebrate a life that was well lived,” says Kazem Kazerounian, Dean of the School of Engineering. “Over the last few decades, Peter was a mentor and role model to me personally and to so many of my colleagues.”
Luh was also a leader in the UConn and Storrs community. In the mid-1980s, Luh and other faculty members created the Asian American Cultural Center at UConn and the Asian and Asian American Studies Institute. He was also an avid fan of the UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams and frequently attended their games.
Luh will be remembered as a gentle soul, a true gentleman, and a dear friend. He was a great collaborator to all his colleagues and an outstanding mentor to his numerous graduate students and junior faculty. He is survived by his wife Chwen-hwa, daughter Corene, son Adrian, and four grandchildren.
