Dr. Alejandro F. Tongco, age 72, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, passed away January 3, 2022. A private service was held at St. Francis Xavier in Stillwater on Friday, January 7.
Al was born on August, 1, 1949 to Baltazar Tongco and Marcionila Fernandez in Baybay, Leyte, Philippines. He graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in University of San Jose-Recoletos and a MS in Agricultural Engineering at the University of the Philippines at Los Banos. Al met Adeltrudis (Adele) at Visaysas State University and after marrying, moved to Stillwater where Adele had previously received her doctorate at Oklahoma State University. In 1989, Al received his PhD in General Engineering (Microhydropower & Renewable Energy) at OSU. Al worked at Oklahoma State University, and as a professor and consultant in the Philippines.
Al was one of the Filipino experts on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geoanalytics, who first introduced the use of GIS technologies for various applications. He was the founder and creator of PhilGIS, an online source of GIS data for the Philippines. He was awarded as a Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) Balik Scientist in 2014 where he was hosted by the Ateneo de Davao University, University of the Immaculate Conception, and Southern Leyte State University, in 2015 by the University of the Philippines Mindanao and SLSU, in 2017 by the BUKSU Bukidnon State University, and in 2018 by the Surigao del Sur State University (SdSSU). Al was the first Dean/Director of the NORMISIST School of Engineering in 1996, now the College of Engineering and Geosciences of Caraga State University. He also was a visiting professor, GIS consultant, and graduate advisor with many other Philippines universities.
Oftentimes soft-spoken and contemplative, Al shined in front of a microphone or with a guitar in hand. He was known for his beautiful singing voice and talented guitar playing, always finding an opportunity to play. He volunteered at the Stillwater St. Francis choir for weekly mass. He also loved ballroom dancing, calligraphy, travel and reading. His generosity, curiosity, and love of learning and teaching touched all he met.
Alejandro is survived by; his wife, Adele Tongco of Stillwater, Oklahoma; his daughter Tara Tongco Rojas and son-in-law Carlos Rojas of Denver, Colorado; his son Brent Tongco and daughter-in-law Angela Martin Tongco of Seattle, Washington; and many loving relatives throughout the world. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the Philippines typhoon relief efforts around Super Typhoon Rai, locally named Odette. Two organizations include UNICEF and Global Giving.
Source: https://obituaries.stwnewspress.com/obituary/alejandro-tongco
