Distinguished AIRAH life member Jack Laracy passed away peacefully on July 11 in Queensland, his home state.
“It is with much sadness that we share the news of the passing of an AIRAH legend, Jack Laracy,” says AIRAH CEO Tony Gleeson, M.AIRAH. “Jack was a leading educator with Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and impacted many people’s careers through his work. He contributed much to AIRAH, and was awarded the James Harrison medal for his contributions to our organisation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Laracy family.”
Laracy spent 35 years of his working life at Queensland Institute of Technology (QIT)/QUT, more than 20 of these as either the Head of Mechanical Engineering or Head of School of Engineering at QIT.
Having joined QIT in the year of its establishment in 1965, he retired in 1999.
“He had a passion for engineering and teaching,” says Jack’s son Steve. “Many of Queensland’s engineers engaged in power generation, sugar milling, and HVAC sectors particularly would have learnt their basic thermodynamics from him. He was one of the many outstanding people who were instrumental in making QIT one of the most recognised engineering courses in Australia, consequently enabling QIT/QUT students access to engineering roles throughout the world.”
Steve says Jack rejoiced in the successes of his students, and was as proud of those who worked in the “engine rooms” as those who went on to leadership roles.
Image: Jack Laracy, L.AIRAH, (left) with former AIRAH President John Bosci, L.AIRAH.
A true (intellectual) giant among educators and proponents of HVAC.
Heart-felt condolences to all of Jack’s fmily and friends.