Walter John Mircea-Pines
May 10, 1963 ~ January 3, 2017
DR. WALTER J. MIRCEA-PINES
BORN: MAY 10, 1963
DEPARTED: JANUARY 3, 2017
Dr. Walter J. Mircea-Pines was born in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. He earned the BA in Germanic Languages and Literature at Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania in 1985. Upon graduation, he began teaching foreign languages at a local high school. He spoke ten languages, six fluently.
Dr. Mirela Mircea and Walter were married in 1983. Their beloved son, Victor, was born in 1989. Tragically, Victor died of a sudden illness in 2007.
Walter and Mirela moved to the United States in 1990 and settled in Buffalo, New York. His mother, Pia, and their son, Victor, joined them in 1992. Walter completed the MA in Education at SUNY-Buffalo in 1996. During his time in Buffalo, he worked as a foreign languages teacher at the Mount St. Joseph Academy. The family relocated to Northern Virginia in 1997.
Walter was then hired by the United States Department of State as a translator and an escort-interpreter; subsequently, in 1998 he was hired as an administrative faculty member in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages at George Mason University. Throughout his career as a German language instructor and information technology coordinator, he cultivated his computing skills and appreciation for technology; having specialized in instructional design and development, he emphasized assessment and foreign language acquisition.
While overseeing the language department's digital instruction, Walter designed and tested placement and proficiency exams in languages beyond the many he knew. He worked closely with faculty or native speakers of Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Farsi, and Portuguese to develop, digitize, and test placement and proficiency exams for both graduate and undergraduate students. Walter went on to earn a doctorate in Education at George Mason University in 2009. His doctoral dissertation entitled, "An Examination of Reliability and Validity Claims of a Foreign Language Proficiency Test," was published in 2012.
Among his many achievements, Walter was also a Member of the Board of Trustees of the San Miguel School, Washington, D.C., where he mentored scores of pupils.
Walter is remembered by his friends and colleagues as a scholar who used the theoretical insights of his studies to transform his practice as a professional educator, technologist, and applied psychometrician. He is fondly remembered by his students as a great instructor; his friends regard him as a true and devoted friend who generously gave of his time and expertise. Both faculty and students were enriched by his cultural experiences and deep ties to his native Romania and global outlook.
While seriously dedicated to everything he did, Walter was a fun-loving person. He exuded love for his family, his work, and friends. Walter was also known to all as the "Yellow Man" because of his yellow car, IPad, and Apple Watch, and his extensive yellow casual or formal attire, which he wore daily. He said that the color yellow symbolized the feeling of freedom that he enjoyed in America.
The faculty, staff and students at the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Education and Human Development faculty, and his university colleagues and friends, deeply mourn his passing.
Dr. Walter J. Mircea-Pines is survived by his wife, Mirela; his mother, Pia; and his brother, Paul, his wife Marcela, and their son Andrei.
The Modern and Classical Languages Department at George Mason University is establishing a fund in memory of Dr. Mircea-Pines. To make a gift by check, please issue it to: "George Mason University Foundation" and write: "In Memory of Dr. Mircea-Pines" in the memo line. Mail checks to: Mircea-Pines Fund, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, George Mason University 4400 University Drive, MS 3A3 Fairfax, VA 22030. Secure donations can also be made online at: give.gmu.edu, Please be sure to indicate where your donation is to be applied by filling in the box labeled "Other" and designate Mircea-Pines Fund. For further details, please contact the college's development office at: chssalum@gmu.edu
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
BORN: MAY 10, 1963
DEPARTED: JANUARY 3, 2017
Dr. Walter J. Mircea-Pines was born in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. He earned the BA in Germanic Languages and Literature at Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania in 1985. Upon graduation, he began teaching foreign languages at a local high school. He spoke ten languages, six fluently.
Dr. Mirela Mircea and Walter were married in 1983. Their beloved son, Victor, was born in 1989. Tragically, Victor died of a sudden illness in 2007.
Walter and Mirela moved to the United States in 1990 and settled in Buffalo, New York. His mother, Pia, and their son, Victor, joined them in 1992. Walter completed the MA in Education at SUNY-Buffalo in 1996. During his time in Buffalo, he worked as a foreign languages teacher at the Mount St. Joseph Academy. The family relocated to Northern Virginia in 1997.
Walter was then hired by the United States Department of State as a translator and an escort-interpreter; subsequently, in 1998 he was hired as an administrative faculty member in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages at George Mason University. Throughout his career as a German language instructor and information technology coordinator, he cultivated his computing skills and appreciation for technology; having specialized in instructional design and development, he emphasized assessment and foreign language acquisition.
While overseeing the language department's digital instruction, Walter designed and tested placement and proficiency exams in languages beyond the many he knew. He worked closely with faculty or native speakers of Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Farsi, and Portuguese to develop, digitize, and test placement and proficiency exams for both graduate and undergraduate students. Walter went on to earn a doctorate in Education at George Mason University in 2009. His doctoral dissertation entitled, "An Examination of Reliability and Validity Claims of a Foreign Language Proficiency Test," was published in 2012.
Among his many achievements, Walter was also a Member of the Board of Trustees of the San Miguel School, Washington, D.C., where he mentored scores of pupils.
Walter is remembered by his friends and colleagues as a scholar who used the theoretical insights of his studies to transform his practice as a professional educator, technologist, and applied psychometrician. He is fondly remembered by his students as a great instructor; his friends regard him as a true and devoted friend who generously gave of his time and expertise. Both faculty and students were enriched by his cultural experiences and deep ties to his native Romania and global outlook.
While seriously dedicated to everything he did, Walter was a fun-loving person. He exuded love for his family, his work, and friends. Walter was also known to all as the "Yellow Man" because of his yellow car, IPad, and Apple Watch, and his extensive yellow casual or formal attire, which he wore daily. He said that the color yellow symbolized the feeling of freedom that he enjoyed in America.
The faculty, staff and students at the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Education and Human Development faculty, and his university colleagues and friends, deeply mourn his passing.
Dr. Walter J. Mircea-Pines is survived by his wife, Mirela; his mother, Pia; and his brother, Paul, his wife Marcela, and their son Andrei.
The Modern and Classical Languages Department at George Mason University is establishing a fund in memory of Dr. Mircea-Pines. To make a gift by check, please issue it to: "George Mason University Foundation" and write: "In Memory of Dr. Mircea-Pines" in the memo line. Mail checks to: Mircea-Pines Fund, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, George Mason University 4400 University Drive, MS 3A3 Fairfax, VA 22030. Secure donations can also be made online at: give.gmu.edu, Please be sure to indicate where your donation is to be applied by filling in the box labeled "Other" and designate Mircea-Pines Fund. For further details, please contact the college's development office at: chssalum@gmu.edu
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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We will remember Walter fondly for his warmth, sense of humor, and generosity of spirit. He was indeed a gentleman and a scholar who led a life well lived. We feel honored to have known a man of his character.
I am deeply saddened by Walter’s sudden passing. He has been a wonderful colleague and friend in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, where I know he will be sorely missed. A kind, warm, and good-natured person, Walter was always ready to lend a helping hand, solve a computer problem, or share a good joke. I will miss our talks, his light-hearted, cheerful manner, and of course his amazing yellow outfits. My deepest condolences to Walter’s wife, Mirela, and the Mircea-Pines family.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Walter. We will remember him always for his sense of humor, willingness to provide for and help others, and being the “man in yellow”. Our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Mirela, and the rest of his family.
Walter lived on all four corners. His passions and abilities were multiple and exercised with flair and competence. He was fun. He was interesting. He was informed. He was loyal. All great things in a friend. All who shared work and pleasure with him will notice the hole he has left. Too soon for one with such a young spirit. Brack Brown Tucson, AZ
Walter, Jeff, Yehuda and I turned things upside down at GMU. It is what it is today: respectable, professional, caring. But it was Walter who gave us direction. Take a bow, my man! We love you!
I am very sorry to here of Walters passing. he was a good friend and will be missed greatly.
Sudden passing of our dear, irreplaceable colleague and friend is a heavy disaster for all who worked with Walter. He has been of inestimable help over the years, as well as a source of joy and inspiration for all who knew him. Blessed his memory, and Heavenly Kingdom.
Saddened to have lost an irreplaceable colleague and friend.
A truly devastating loss of a brilliant, kind and unique man. I will remember him fondly for the rest of my days.
I am very sorry to hear of Walter’s passing. I have fond memories of his delightful sense of humor, his humbleness, his intellect, and his love of all things yellow.
I just can’t believe we are not going to see his smile anymore. I will always remember him walking down the hallway, helping people with technology, looking at his yellow watch, and always with a smile. My deepest condolences to the family
My deepest condolences to Walter’s family. What a tragic and untimely loss of the unique individual. I will always remember and admire his optimism, intelligence and the rare ability to make one feel at home. Rest in peace, dear Walter.
Gone much too soon. My deepest condolences.
Draga Mirela, Pia si toata familia, sunt cu voi si va impartasesc durerea si va imbratisez cu drag. Imi voi aminti mereu de Walti – atat de plin de viata- de intalnirea noastra de la Las Vegas si de multe alte intalniri de la Cluj. Condoleante si imi pare tare rau, Sanda Brisan
Wow, very sorry to hear this news. Walter will indeed be missed. Condolences to his family. Rest in Peace.
Draga Mirela si Pia, sintem alaturi de voi in marea pierdere suferita. Nu pot sa cred ca acum patru saptamini ne-am vazut si acum nu mai este. A vorbit frumos la comemorarea lui Mirel. Acum la el cine o sa Vorbeasca? Condoleante. Dumnezeu sa-l ierte si sa-l odihneasca. Marcel si Mirela
Dear Mirela, Alan & I are so sorry that because of the weather, we were unable to make it to the funeral. We are so sad about Walter’s passing. I was just recently saying to myself that I should email him about getting together, and I am so sad I didn’t do that before it was too late. He was a really great guy. What I will always remember best about him is the trip he & I took years ago to a language technology conference in TN that we discovered when we got there had only 30 participants. I am so sad that he has gone too soon. Please know that you & Pia are in our thought at this difficult time.
My sincere condolences on the untimely death of Walter, a cherished colleague at GMU and admired by all who knew him. I was out of town this past week and just learned of this tragic news. May his memory be a blessing.
Imi adun puterile sa pot accepta ca in familia noastra s-a intamplat plecarea fara intoarcere a dragului nostru Walti. Duce cu el zambetul lui plin de subintelesuri, inteligenta lui stralucitoare, umorul lui aducator de bunadispozitie, caracterul lui de om pe care te puteai baza, prezenta lui unica. Va stau alaturi Mirela si Pia si impart cu voi durerea despartirii. Condoleante inlacrimate .
Sadly we lose another great faculty who was there for all of us at the department. Walter, rest in peace. We will miss you.
Dragile mele Mirela si tanti Pia, Imi pare atat de rau de asa o tragedie. Dumnezeu sa il odihneasca pe Valti in pace si lumina! A plecat mult prea curand, atat de tanar! Sunt alaturi de voi cu tot sufletul! Va imbratisez cu drag, Flavia Stoica (Osianu)
My most sincere condolences for the loss of your beloved Walter. We will remember him with fondness at GMU.
For the past 8 and a half years, Walter has been my sidekick. Mirela was “the boss,” as he let us know. We were colleagues. I relied on Walter for so much: his deep knowledge of assessment, human and computer languages, MACs and PCs, wine and French cheese. He knew, in part due to great loss, what was important, and he reminded us of that. We shall miss him, and keep him in our memories always.
My deepest condolences for this great loss. I had the privilege to know Walter and oftentimes talked for hours about our favorite topic: cars,and of course, colors. We will miss Walter at GMU.
Valti, as we called him, the light of any party. Kind and funny, adventurous in rewriting rules to his own interpretation, loved life and lived it fully to the end. Will be greatly missed.
Condoleante, imi pare nespus de rau ca treceti printr-o asemenea grea suferinta ! Dumnezeu sa-l odihneasca !
My thoughts and prayers to the family of Walter. I had known Walter a few years at GMU. A great person and a good friend. You will be miss my friend.
It is with profound sadness that I learned of Walter’s passing a couple of days ago. The world will never be the same without is bright yellow aura around us. My sincere condolences to his family.
I am devastated and so saddened to hear of Walter’s passing. I remember with fondness Walter’s delightful sense of humor, sharp intellect, and great love for cars, and of course, the color yellow. Mason will not be the same without you, Walter! My thoughts and prayers are with Mirela and the Mircea-Pines family during this time of great sorrow.