Updated: Sept. 16, 2019 at 10:08 a.m.

Milken Institute School of Public Health professor Philip Lucas died at 62 late last month, according to an obituary on the Snowden Funeral Home website.

Public health school spokeswoman Mina Radman said Lucas, a professional lecturer in the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences who joined GW faculty in fall 2013, taught a course on human sexuality. Radman said that Lucas held an annual event where students researched and created presentations on topics pertinent to human sexuality.

“He was passionate about helping individuals, groups and families impacted by loss and trauma and about educating helpers on the long reaching impact of loss,” the Snowden obituary states.

Lucas taught for 20 years across many schools including GW, the School of Social Work at Howard University and the clinical counseling program at Trinity University, according to the obituary.

He was a licensed social worker in D.C. and Florida and worked as a consultant, trainer and psychotherapist for more than 30 years. Lucas specialized in working with patients affected by grief, loss and bereavement, the obituary states.

Lucas was the owner and founder of Clinical and Administrative Services and Training, a business that offers education programs for behavioral health professionals that cover themes like mental health, loss and bereavement and human sexuality, according to the obituary.

Lucas served as a consultant at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Technical Assistance Center, worked as a Red Cross disaster and mental health volunteer and held a national certification in transgender care, the obituary states.

He chaired the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect. The D.C. Metro Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers recognized Lucas as Educator of the Year in 2011, and the organization previously awarded him a Lifetime Achievement Award, according to the obituary.

Patti Plaza, the director of the health education and physical activity programs in the exercise and nutrition sciences department, said Lucas had “exceptional” energy and style, and he loved teaching students.

“He will be deeply, deeply missed,” Plaza said.

This post has been updated to reflect the following correction: 

The Hatchet incorrectly spelled Philip Lucas’ first name. His name is now correct. We regret this error.