Obituaries

Yow-Wu Bill Wu, longtime School of Nursing faculty member, died on March 30 surrounded by loved ones.

Wu joined UB in 1986 as director of the Academic Computing Laboratory and joined the School of Nursing as a clinical assistant professor in 1987.

He was a highly regarded expert in research methodology and applied statistics in behavioral health and nursing science; as a statistical consultant, he assured the quality of quantitative research studies by UB faculty researchers and PhD students for decades.

His 1995 article, “Hierarchical Linear Models: A Multilevel Data Analysis Technique,” published in the journal Nursing Research, was the first paper of this kind for nurse researchers.

Wu was also recognized numerous times for his excellence in teaching and for contributions to international education. His contributions to the scientific community and the field of nursing, both directly and through his colleagues and mentees, will be felt globally for generations to come.

He retired from UB in 2017 as an associate professor of nursing.

A treasured member of the School of Nursing for 32 years, his colleagues and students fondly remember him for his patience, kindness and optimistic spirit.

“Bill was a valued colleague, mentor, educator and, most importantly, a friend to many of us,” says Yu-Ping Chang, associate dean for research and scholarship. “He was always one to show kindness and compassion to co-workers, students and friends — words can hardly begin to express how much he will be missed.”

Several of his colleagues and friends describe him as immensely supportive, exceptionally brilliant, kind and considerate, with a genuine smile that always brightened their days. His students recall his generosity with his time, and his willingness to go the extra mile to ensure understanding of course concepts. Many say they were blessed to have had him as an educator and mentor, and his international students in particular have expressed love and gratitude for his guidance, and for being welcomed to Buffalo as if part of Wu’s family.

 “What a great loss to the school and all of us,” says Dean Marsha Lewis. “Bill was always so positive, had a smile on his face and collaborated so well with students, faculty and staff. He and his wife were so gracious, and I am so grateful for his commitment to his students and to our School of Nursing.”

Adds Chang: “Bill’s generosity of self, his love, wisdom and kindness lives within every person he has touched.”

Wu received a PhD in educational psychology from UB, an MS in remedial reading from the University of Wisconsin, and an MA in education (exceptional children) and a BA in education from National Taiwan University.