| June 24, 2025
Dear DU community, I write with the sad news of the passing of Elizabeth “Liz” Tuttle, Professor Emeritus of Physics, within the Department of Engineering on May 18, 2025, at the age of 86. Dr. Tuttle was a key faculty member who contributed to the strength, accreditation, and positive student impact of the Engineering Department. Dr. Tuttle taught mechanical engineering, led the initial Accreditation for Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) efforts, and was elected to the Gamma Chapter of Colorado’s Phi Beta Kappa where she contributed many years of invaluable service. To further her engineering credibility, she studied and took the Colorado Professional Engineers (PE) exam, passing it with the highest grade in existence at that time. As one of the many recognitions for her student-focused teaching and leadership, Dr. Tuttle was awarded the 1974-1975 Distinguished Teaching Award. For many decades, Dr. Tuttle was an icon in the Engineering Department and the only tenured female faculty member in Engineering. An accomplished scholar in theoretical physics and as a well-rounded intellect, Dr. Tuttle is most remembered for how she put the University and students before almost anything else. Dr. Corinne Lengsfeld shared that “Her love of our students may have been one of the most important elements of DU’s engineering student success.” Dr. Tuttle was uncompromising in her rigor and full of compassion and patience for each student. She loved her profession and was deeply loved by her students. Colleagues warmly remember Dr. Tuttle for her ‘razor-sharp mind’ and how she would sit in faculty meetings knitting her own clothes while simultaneously making sure they did everything needed for ABET accreditation. As a faculty member she was immensely supportive of the department, mentored colleagues on their scholarship and professional development, and always advocated for the students to whom she devoted her life. She was an admirer of most things British. She spoke with a precise English accent—the Queen’s English—without slang or expletives. She took her sabbaticals in England at the University of Exeter and thoroughly loved that experience. Please join us in conveying our warmest condolences to Dr. Tuttle’s family, friends, colleagues, and former students. With very best regards, |
| Mary L. Clark Provost Leslie Hasche |