I had the opportunity to know Dr. Joseph L. Scarpaci Jr for 22 years. He was my advisor at Virginia Tech, later on becoming my mentor and friend. He and his wife, Gilda, always welcomed me and my family while I was in Blacksburg and in other occasions. He was a person who never hesitated to lend a hand when it was needed. In my case he encouraged me to finish my doctorate degree through difficult times. I will always thank him for that.

I also had the opportunity to be his TA on his Cuba trip in 2002. It was a memorable experience since the group learned so much about this country from an expert who was passionate about Geography and places. He was truly a Latin Americanist.

We had the opportunity to invite him to Panama for conferences twice. Once in 2007 and most recently in 2019 where he was our main guess speaker in the celebration of the 80 years of the Department of Geography at the University of Panama. He loves historic centers, so he and Gilda decided to stay in our Casco Antiguo, and, as he told me, he enjoyed just getting up early and walking through the streets of the Casco and chatting with people.

Today, when he would have celebrated his 69 birthday, my family and I are deeply sorry about his passing and we want to express towards Gilda, Cristina, Michael and the rest of his family our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Gracias Dr. Scarpaci y descanse en paz.