It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Michel Têtu, who died on April 8, 2026, at the age of 81. A world-renowned scientist and Professor Emeritus at the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Université Laval, he contributed to the development of optics and photonics in Quebec and Canada, as well as to the international prominence of Université Laval. Generous and jovial, he loved to enjoy life, surrounded by those he held dear.

The VITA community and the broader critical embedded computing industry mourn the loss of Michel Tetu — a respected technologist, visionary advocate for optical interconnect innovation, and a valued contributor whose influence helped shape the future direction of high-performance embedded systems.

Michel was widely recognized for his deep expertise in photonics and optical communications, bringing decades of pioneering experience in optical technologies into the VITA standards community. Throughout his distinguished career, he championed the advancement of high-density optical solutions and helped the industry better understand the transformative role optics would play in next-generation embedded architectures.

Within VITA working groups, Michel was known as an active participant, thoughtful collaborator, and influential technical voice. He consistently encouraged the integration of advanced optical technologies into open standards efforts, helping guide discussions around higher bandwidth, reduced size and weight, improved signal integrity, and scalable architectures for demanding aerospace, defense, and industrial applications.

Michel’s ability to connect cutting-edge photonics innovation with practical embedded computing requirements made him an especially valuable contributor. His leadership and technical insight helped accelerate industry acceptance of optical interconnect technologies at a time when data-intensive systems were rapidly evolving beyond the limits of traditional electrical interfaces.

Beyond his contributions to standards development, Michel was internationally respected for his remarkable accomplishments in photonics research, education, and industrial innovation. He helped establish major optical communications research programs, co-founded photonics organizations and companies, contributed to hundreds of scientific publications, and served in leadership roles that advanced the global photonics industry. He was also recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of the VITA Standards Organization — an honor reflecting the lasting impact of his service and technical leadership.

Those who worked alongside Michel remember not only his technical excellence, but also his professionalism, generosity, and commitment to collaboration. He had a unique ability to bring people together around complex technical challenges while always maintaining focus on the long-term success of the industry and the standards community.

Michel’s legacy lives on in the standards he helped shape, the technologies he advanced, and the many engineers and industry leaders he inspired throughout his career. His work helped position VITA and its member companies for the future of high-speed, high-density embedded computing.

The VITA community extends its sincere condolences to Michel’s family, friends, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of working with him. His contributions to photonics, embedded computing, and open standards will continue to influence the industry for many years to come.

Obituary