The flag of the University flies at average flagpole at Central Building, due to the death of José María Sarriegi, professor and PhD Industrial Engineer of Tecnun and Deputy Director Research of the School of Engineering since 2016.

The wake will be open tomorrow, Tuesday 11, at the Zorroaga Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m., and the funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Franciscan parish church in Egia.

The director of Tecnun, Raúl Antón, has shown his dismay at the sudden death: "Sarri was a great colleague and professional, a pillar on which Tecnun relied and to whom we owe a lot. He was a person who knew how to transmit enthusiasm, who loved his teaching work and researcher. At the same time, he was a dedicated, simple, tenacious and, at the same time, conciliatory person".

Raúl Antón has also highlighted that Sarri adored his family, of whom he was very proud. "He knew how to love people and we all loved him. If we have learned anything from Sarri, our great teacher of resilience, it is that we can always emerge stronger from catastrophes. Surely his example of integrity, enthusiasm, professionalism and human greatness are for us an example and lever to continue with our day to day, and work for this great project that is our university. Today we all pray for him and his family. I am sure that from heaven he will continue to help us", concluded Raúl Antón.

Born in Beasain, he finished his Industrial Engineering studies at Tecnun in 1994, where he started his professional career. He joked that he lost his name on the train when he moved to San Sebastian, because everyone started calling him Sarri.

"You can't understand the department of Industrial Organization as it is today without Sarri," says Elisabeth Viles, director of department. "Although he was currently Deputy Director of Research at the School, he was nine years Deputy Director of the department and two more the director. "I would highlight his strength and conviction in everything he did. He always had a strategic vision and tried to play in the Champions League, as he himself said. All the challenges he set for himself were big. Demanding but generous in what he did and proposed. He leaves us a great void that will not be easy to fill. We have lost a colleague and a friend".

Dedicated to teaching and research, he has published 29 articles in indexed journals, 13 book chapters and has presented more than 80 papers at international conferences. He has been researcher principal in European, national, regional and industrial projects, and coordinator of the European projects SMR, SEMPOC and ELITE.

His colleagues at department describe him as a fighter with initiative and forcefulness in launching different initiatives, such as Euskal Kultur Taldea (EKT), the School's Mountain Club or the Diploma en Euskara Teknikoa Ingeniarientzat. At department, Sarri has created the Resilience line, which has the most charisma and results.

He was very sporty, and very fond of cycling. Sarri has passed on this love of sport, which he shared with his wife Lidia, to his children, soccer and basketball players. He lost his mother quite young and until now he was the one who took care, together with his brother, of his father. He was often seen accompanying him to cafeteria la Espiga or walking around San Sebastian.

He had a great rapport with the students, and was noted for his ability to get a contact at a company that could help a student get an internship or whatever they needed.

Sarri has been for 24 years professor of Computer Science, Information Systems, Modeling and Simulation, Management of knowledge and Projects, as well as supervisor of more than 350 final projects of Degree, master and career.

It so happens that one of the theses he has directed, that of our colleague Patricia Maraña, was defended today. "One of the things I would highlight about Sarri is her ability to see the best in each person and to value it explicitly. He saw my capabilities before I saw them myself," recalls an excited Patricia Maraña.

Juan José de Miguel says that he has Sarri's face fresh in his mind at report when he arrived 25 years ago to study engineering. The former chaplain emphasizes that he was "a quiet boy, with a clear look and discreetly smiling, ready to work and to improve".

Don Juanjo recalls that, on one occasion, he heard from her lips the sorrow she harbored for the early death of his mother. "A teacher of humble origin, loving and diligent. Sarri did not have the good fortune to be seen by his mother dressed in the muceta of engineers, nor with the badges of an engineering doctor, but he inherited from her something that is now sample precious: faith in Him who has conquered death and makes those who follow him share in his victory. Rest in peace, Sarri, after your terrible battle. A hug from all your friends".