On Monday, March 27, 2017 Dr. Maurizio Gianturco — innovator, leader, husband, father and friend — died peacefully at his beloved lake house with his family at his side. He was 88. Dr. Gianturco was preceded in death by his children’s mother, Rita, and is survived by his wife, Dina Gianturco; sons and daughters-in-law, Giulio and Suzette Gianturco, Luca and Kathy Gianturco; daughter and son-in-law, Stella Minevich and Sasha Gokhman; seven grandchildren; and nieces and nephews including John Clayman, son of Gabriella (Pitty), his beloved sister.

Dr. Gianturco came to the United States as a Fulbright Scholar in 1953. While he always loved his native land, Italy, he came to appreciate the can-do spirit of his adopted country. Dr. Gianturco was a member of the Fulbright Association’s Board of Directors from 1989 to 1995, serving as vice president for administration in 1992 and 1993, and as president in 1994 and in 1995. He received a Doctor of Science degree from the University of Rome in 1951 and served there as assistant professor in 1952. In 1953, he was a Fulbright postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Illinois, where he continued as a senior research associate from 1954 to 1956. In 1957, he joined The Coca-Cola Company, eventually rising to senior vice president. Dr. Gianturco was instrumental in securing The Coca-Cola Foundation’s support for the Fulbright Prize, which continued from 1993 through 2008. He was recognized by the Association with the 2015 Fulbright Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Gianturco was a cherished member of the Fulbright community and will be greatly missed. In his memory, contributions may be made to the National Italian American Foundation‘s Maurizio Gianturco Scholarship Fund.