In Memoriam: Engineers Without Borders Mentor, David Sacco ’82

The Yale community mourns the loss of David Sacco, a figure of unwavering commitment and mentorship. For 18 years, David devoted himself as a volunteer to Yale's Engineers Without Borders Chapter, consistently demonstrating his commitment to both global development and the personal growth of young engineers.

A proud Yale alum, David graduated in 1982 with a degree in architecture, following in the path of his late father, Humbert Sacco, who graduated from Yale in 1955 with an engineering degree. David's journey after Yale was both impactful and inspirational. He served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Gabon, a United Nations Volunteer in Sri Lanka, and was an engineering advisor to aid agencies in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Kosovo. David then went on to pursue an advanced engineering degree at the University of Washington, later making his mark as a civil engineer at TPA Design Group in New Haven.

In 2004, he became the founding advisor to the Yale Engineers Without Borders Chapter and his association with the student organization was a constant source of inspiration. For nearly two decades, David led Yale Engineers Without Borders trips to far-flung places like Honduras, Cameroon, Tanzania, and Ecuador. Through these journeys he molded, mentored, and inspired countless Yale students, imprinting lasting memories and lifelong lessons. The projects he led brought safe drinking water to well over 5,000 people on three different continents. In 2012, David was recognized for his devotion and impact in the field with the Professional Founders Award from the Engineers Without Borders national organization.

David's gentle demeanor and insightful guidance made him an endearing figure to undergraduates over the years. His dedication and tireless efforts have left an indelible impact on numerous engineering projects around the world, simultaneously uplifting communities and enriching the educational experiences of our students.