Bogdan Maciej Wilamowski

03/07/1944 - 09/07/2025

Professor Bogdan Maciej Wilamowski, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend - as well as a world-renowned engineer, educator, and mentor - passed away peacefully at his home in Auburn, Alabama on September 7, 2025, surrounded by family.

Born on March 7, 1944, in Krosno, Poland, Bogdan built a life that combined intellectual brilliance with deep humanity. To his English-speaking friends he was known simply as Dan, while to his Polish family and friends he was always Maciek. He earned his M.S., Ph.D. in Neural Computing, and D.Sc. in Integrated Circuit Design from the Technical University of Gdańsk, where he later served as Director of the Institute of Electronics and Chair of the Solid-State Electronics Department. His career carried him across Poland, Japan, and the United States, leaving an indelible mark wherever he went. He taught at the University of Wyoming and the University of Idaho before making Auburn University his home, where he served as Director of the Alabama Micro/Nano Science and Technology Center and where he was later named Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Over more than five decades, he authored hundreds of papers, numerous books, and held dozens of patents, but his greatest pride came from the students and colleagues he mentored. His pioneering work in analog circuit design, neural networks, and intelligent systems continues to shape modern electronics. Within the IEEE, he was a respected leader and friend, serving as President of the Industrial Electronics Society, Vice President of the Computational Intelligence Society, and Editor-in-Chief of two major journals. He was honored internationally with awards and recognition, including the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, an Honorary Doctorate from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK, and election as a Foreign Member of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Polska Akademia Nauk). He was also an Honorary Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, underscoring his lasting global influence.

Beyond his professional life, Bogdan was known for his adventurous spirit, warmth, and humor. A lifelong lover of the outdoors, he found joy in skiing, sailing, windsurfing, and tennis. He held a Polish skipper's license and delighted in time spent on lakes and rivers. He often shared his passions with others - teaching downhill skiing, where he first met the love of his life, Barbara. An eternal tinkerer, he could build or repair nearly anything, and he cherished his dogs, who brought him endless happiness. His laughter, generosity, and charm endeared him to family, friends, students, and colleagues around the globe.

Bogdan was preceded in death by his parents, Bożena and Bohdan, and his brother, Zbysław. He leaves behind his devoted wife, Barbara; his sister, Marzena; his daughters, Katarzyna and Zofia; his son-in-law, Stefan; and his grandson, Konrad. He will also be deeply missed by his extended family in Poland, US, and beyond, along with countless friends, students, and colleagues whose lives he touched.

His memory will live on in the family who loved him, the students he mentored, the colleagues he inspired, and the field of engineering he helped shape.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Poland. In lieu of flowers, the family invites friends and loved ones to honor Bogdan's life by supporting local animal shelters, continuing his legacy of kindness and compassion.

We invite you to visit the online memorial page below, where you can share memories, condolences, or photos. From these contributions, we plan to create a printed book so that Maciej's memory may be cherished and carried forward. We warmly encourage you to sign the guestbook, share photos or keepsakes, and pass the link along to his friends and colleagues.

Barbara, Kasia, and Zofia (Sonja) Wilamowska

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