It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Dr. Mohammad "Mo" Jamshidi — a man whose brilliance was matched only by the boundless warmth he brought to every room he entered.

Born in Shiraz, Iran, Mo came to America in 1963 with a sense of wonder and an eye for what he called "an ocean of opportunities." He went on to become one of the most distinguished figures in electrical engineering of his generation — a Fellow of IEEE, ASME, AAAS, and the World Academy of Sciences, holder of three honorary doctorates, and the recipient of the IEEE Centennial Medal among many other honors. Over a career spanning more than 51 years in academia, he authored 79 books and over 800 publications and served as the Lutcher Brown Endowed Chair Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio and founding Director of the NASA Center for Autonomous Control Engineering.

Yet for all his accolades, what defined Mo most was his deep commitment to the people around him. He established the Mo and Jila Jamshidi Graduate Fellowship to support doctoral students nearing the completion of their studies at UTSA, and his alma maters Illinois (PhD, MS) and Oregon State (BS). Mo believed wholeheartedly that investing in the next generation was the greatest contribution he could make. He cared deeply for his students, and their success was his success.

He is survived by his wife and partner of 52 years, Jila; his children Ava and Nima; and his grandson Faris.

Mo was a man who loved to travel, to tell a good joke, to make a new friend wherever he found himself. He never missed a beautiful sunset. His generosity of heart and mind touched everyone fortunate enough to know him — and the world is unmistakably better for the life he lived.

We are going to miss him more than words can say.

Jila, Ava & Nima

Links:

Mo & Jila Jamshidi Graduate Fellowship

https://www.utsa.edu/giving/why-give/impact-stories/mo-and-jila-jamshidi-graduate-fellowship.html

Univ. of Illinois - 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award

https://ece.illinois.edu/alumni/awards/distinguished/25-jamshidi