Photo/Illutration Naoko Takemaru, associate professor of Japanese at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Provided by University of Nevada, Las Vegas)

SAN FRANCISCO--The Japanese academic killed in a shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus on Dec. 6 was remembered as an outstanding teacher and generous individual.

Naoko Takemaru, 69, an associate professor of Japanese, was one of three UNLV faculty members slain by Anthony Polito, 67, who was subsequently shot to death by police.

Takemaru was hired by UNLV in 2003 when the university began its Japanese language program. A colleague said her classes were always full and she often encouraged her students to study abroad in Japan.

Speaking at a news conference, Margaret Harp, a colleague in the World Languages and Cultures department, said: “Naoko was a triple threat artist. She was a professional concert pianist, she embroidered beautifully and every holiday season she brought us her homemade chocolates.”

Harp added, “Naoko was frail physically. However she was lion-hearted in kindness, she was lion-hearted in generosity and I have no doubt she was lion-hearted in her final moments on Earth.”

Police said Polito sent around 20 letters to the personnel departments at various universities, including UNLV, inquiring about a job opening. Although he previously taught at another university, he was repeatedly rejected by UNLV.

U.S. President Joe Biden, visiting Las Vegas on Dec. 8, noted there have already been about 600 shootings this year in the United States and said it was time for Congress to take action.

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