INCAE regrets the death of its professor Francisco de Paula Gutiérrez
INCAE communicates the sensitive death of Professor Francisco de Paula Gutiérrez Gutiérrez, who had an outstanding career in INCAE and in public service, served as President of the Central Bank of Costa Rica, Minister of Finance, Governor for Costa Rica before the main international organizations .
His link with INCAE spanned more than three decades: where he stood out as Academic Director of the Business Leadership Program in Development and Dean (1991-1994), as well as Director of the Master's Degree in Business Economics (1987-1990). In addition, as a full professor at INCAE, he taught courses on Macroeconomic Analysis, Business Finance, and Economic Policy.
In the private sector in Costa Rica, Gutiérrez served on the boards of directors of multiple companies.
On the death of Professor Gutiérrez, the Rector of INCAE, Enrique Bolanos He stated: “Today the entire INCAE family is in mourning for the loss of our beloved Guti, teacher, friend and exceptional human being. His charisma, his teachings, his values and his legacy will live forever in the hearts of all of us who had the privilege of knowing him. "
“[Francisco de Paula] 'Guti' represented INCAE's mission in all its scope. He was an excellent teacher and mentor to his students: formidable in the classroom, always studious and dedicated, and able to listen and comment with great respect. He was a national and regional leader who contributed with his vision and talent to improve the conditions of our economy from the various public positions he held, "he said. Roberto Artavia Loria, President of the Board of Directors, who added: "He was an exemplary person in his family life, his personal and professional ethics, and his clear sense of friendship."
Camelia Ilie, Dean of Executive Education, also expressed her feelings: "Guti has been the definition of authenticity, of the balance between rigor and affability, between demand and understanding. A fine observer, he knew how to raise differences with great respect and give with great generosity the recognition. Leave an inspiring legacy that will last in the history of our institution and a deep memory that will remain in our hearts. "
"INCAE loses a great academic, a great economist, but much more important a great person. The best person. He changed the lives of so many people; he gave us so many lessons, examples, opportunities and joys; he created so much and asked for so little. ... "words of the teacher Alberto Trejos placeholder image, who added "The void it leaves, in the institution and in my life, is impossible to measure."
Bernard KillianAssociate Dean added: “I always had a deep admiration for my colleague Don Francisco de Paula. When I came to INCAE in 2005, Prof. Guti was the Manager of the Central Bank and I began to know him when he returned to the Institute in 2010 as a senior faculty. Despite his impressive professional achievements, contributions to the country, and public admiration, he always remained extremely kind and humble to everyone around him. He also had a strong sense of justice and of what was right. I really enjoyed our lunches together, which were always learning spaces and a human, economic and political inspiration for me. " He added: "He will always be a reference and an example as a teacher and professional."
Gilma Sandoval, who was the teacher's assistant, elaborated on the humane treatment that always distinguished him: “I feel very honored to have worked with Don Francisco, an extraordinary human being. He was always a kind and smiling person, who had a "good morning", a "good afternoon" or a "how are you" to whoever was on the road ".
Sylvia Poll, Incaísta (MAEX XIX) and the first Costa Rican athlete to win an Olympic medal, shared her testimony: “I had the great honor of calling Don Francisco a work colleague. The fact of working together, in an institution like INCAE, was for me one of the greatest privileges. I met him not only as a professional, but as a person, proving to be an extraordinary human being "
"Professor Guti was an extraordinary person. An eminence in economics who not only stayed in the classroom, but also directed the economic policies of Costa Rica. A humble, jovial man with excellent treatment with all people, a friend, a mentor , an outstanding human being. I will never stop thanking you for your teachings, your wise advice about my doctorate and above all, your kindness. Your mark remains to be imitated and one day to be a teacher like you. The world was outstanding !! ”, reflected Vinicio Murillo (MAE XLI), who was Executive Director of the Latin American Center for Entrepreneurs (LACE) from INCAE, and who is currently pursuing his doctoral studies.
His last class, MBA 2021
For his part, Julián Ramírez Valdés, a student of his in the MBA 2021, pointed out: “As an economist that I am, I admired Profe Guti from before starting my MBA at INCAE: he was one of my professional idols. Taking classes with him was the realization of a dream, I was surprised by his intellectual humility and the ease with which he transmitted complex concepts in a simple and entertaining way. In all classes we enjoy his jokes and anecdotes, but above all his advice that we will treasure for the rest of our lives. All of us who had the privilege of learning from Profe Guti will remember him as the magnificent teacher and extraordinary person that he was. Thanks for everything, Profe! "
Finally, 2021 MBA student Georgina Robles Field added “18 classes in which I had the honor of being a student of 'Don Francisco' or 'Guti' as we all affectionately called him, were enough to mark an indelible mark for the rest of my life. , which changed my way of seeing the economy and the world. One of the most extraordinary teachers I have ever had, for his broad perspective, his impressive analytical skills, and unmatched ethics. His class was always entertaining and with a good dose of humor, pending every detail of each of his students and always open doors to advise his own. 'Guti' is and will always be an icon of reference in INCAE and a bulwark for all generations, not only for his exceptional academic and professional achievements, but also for his extraordinary human quality. Leave in me a tremendous example and high ideals to follow. I carry in my heart every master class, worthy of a teacher who always went the extra mile for the academy. Today I feel an intense pain in my heart for this great loss for his family, for our dear Alma Mater and for the entire country; but I also speak for myself, as I would have liked to be able to share and learn even more from him. I thank God for having met him; and to you, dear teacher, I tell you: very few people can reach the end of their lives fulfilling their ideals with certainty, rest in peace: 'Mission accomplished'. "
Equally affectionate comments were expressed on INCAE's social networks, where the human quality of Francisco de Paula Gutiérrez, the unforgettable Profe Guti, was highlighted.
Messages taken from INCAE's Social Networks (Facebook and LinkedIn)
Professor Francisco de Paula Gutiérrez Gutiérrez studied his degree in Economics at the University of Costa Rica, and obtained his Ph.D. and a master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
On behalf of everyone at INCAE we extend our condolences to his wife, children, grandchildren and other loved ones.