Vedat Shehu

Professor, Dr. Eng. Vedat Shehu, is an Albanian-American born in Delvina, Albania on January 20, 1935. At the time of his birth, his father worked as a clerk for King’s Zog government and passed away unexpectedly leaving Vedatat a young age. Vedat was raised by his mother, a noble woman, with a big heart who was a very progressive thinker for the time. He finished elementary school in Tirana. After graduating from the Gjirokastra High School (1954), he completed his degree as a geological engineer at the University of Ostrava (VŠB) in Czechoslovakia (1959). He defended his doctorate in the 1980s and was awarded the title of Doctor of Geological Sciences.

In his professional career, he was decorated with three Work Orders and a Republic Award, which was the highest honorary award in Albania during the communist era.

His early professional work was focused on the exploration of iron-nickel ores, and soon after, he focusedon the geological engineering studies of mountain rivers for the design and construction of hydropower plants across Albania. Dr. Shehu directed the engineering and geological work of three of the largest hydroelectric power plants in Albania: Fierza, Komani and Vau i Deja. These plants continue to provide approximately 70% of the country’s energy, serving not just Albania but also its neighboring countries, a lasting impact that reflects his dedication and vision.

He has also left a deep mark through his academic work, scientific publications, and widespread studies. He was involved in the compilation of the geological map of Albania (1983) and participated in many international symposiums across Europe.

Outside of his institutional duties, he crafted an original theory of earth’s geology and growth, drawn from the variety of land formations in Albania, documented in successive books: Toka në Zhvillim (Tirana, 1988); Growing and Developing Earth (USA 2005); and later in a more extended Albanian edition (Tirana 2009), Evolucioni iNjeriut (Tirana 2024).

His theoretical studies in the growing and developing form of the earth have been presented and published through different local and international forums including, “Earth's Core, Energy Cosmic Object" (USA 2016); Library Hall of the Albanian Academy of Sciences (2016); Faculty of Geology in Tirana (2019); The Hidden History of Earth Expansion (USA 2020).

Since 2011, Dr. Shehu resided in the town of Sharon, MA; next to his daughter's family. Every year he spent his summers in Tirana, Albania, near his son's family.

One of his most wonderful achievements was being a teacher, mentor and loving grandfather to his two granddaughters and his grandson. His deep and affectionate love for all of us has left such warmth that will live on in our hearts.

Vedat inspired all those around him with his deep passion for both work and life. We will remember a quote he lived by: “It is not true that people stop pursuing dreams because they grow old, they grow old because they stop pursuing dreams.”

A Memorial Gathering will be held at the Beacon's Restaurant, 85 Providence Highway, (Route 1, opposite Walpole Mall) East Walpole on Sunday March 30 from 1:30-4 PM.

Funeral Services are private and are in the care of Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole Street, Norwood.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in Vedat's memory to The Sharon Public Library.

See https://www.gofundme.com/f/sharon-library-fundraiser-in-vedats-honor