In Memoriam: Hassan Rejali
The Department of Mechanical Engineering mourns the death of Professor Emeritus Hassan Rejali. He was 83.
Rejali dedicated more than three decades to teaching, research, and service in the College of Engineering. Rejali was a respected scholar, a deeply caring mentor, and a leader and pillar of the Cal Poly Pomona community whose influence extended far beyond the classroom. He joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 1985 and quickly became known for his passionate approach to teaching and his unwavering commitment to student success. He specialized in solid mechanics, material behavior, and stress/failure analysis. His courses in dynamics, mechanics of material, stress analysis and mechanics of composite materials inspired generations of engineers to pursue excellence and integrity in their professional lives. Colleagues remember him as a thoughtful and principled educator, whose quiet wisdom and compassion left a lasting mark on those who worked alongside him. Beyond his teaching, Rejali contributed significantly to advancing the department’s academic programs and research initiatives. He served as chair of the department from 2008 to 2012 and played a key role in enhancing the mechanical engineering curriculum and developing laboratory experiences that reflected Cal Poly Pomona’s “learn-by-doing” philosophy.
Rejali retired through FERP in 2012, but even after his retirement, he remained an active and valued member of the university community, continuing to engage with students and faculty. His generosity of spirit, sense of humor and deep caring for others will be fondly remembered. The mechanical engineering department extends its heartfelt condolences to Rejali’s family, friends, former students and colleagues. His legacy will continue through the countless engineers he mentored and the enduring impact of his work at Cal Poly Pomona. He is survived by his wife, Shirin, and their daughter, Saman.