In Memoriam

Ritsuo Shingo was instrumental in the creation and success of the Shingo Institute, a program in the Huntsman School of Business. Beginning in 2009 and continuing until his death in 2023, Mr. Shingo was actively involved in the work of the Shingo Institute. He served on the Shingo Executive Advisory Board, spoke at Shingo conferences, helped lead study tours, and helped develop video training materials. He interacted in many ways with the Shingo Institute community as a teacher, mentor, and friend. In 2016, he wrote a book called My Leadership: The China Years and assigned publication rights to the Shingo Institute.

Mr. Shingo's experience in China started when he was appointed president of Toyota's joint venture operation in Chengdu. He also served as the president of Hino Motors in China. Mr. Shingo's final assignment in China was president of the Toyota Research and Service Center. Mr. Shingo returned to Japan after 13 years in China.

The Shingo Model ™ is based on the teachings of Ritsuo's father Dr. Shigeo Shingo, namesake of the Shingo Institute. Dr. Shingo helped create and write about many aspects of the revolutionary practices around operational excellence, many of which were incorporated into the renowned Toyota Production System. Mr. Shingo learned his leadership lessons from his father—something he readily admits. He was a true practitioner of the Shingo Model principles. After 42 years with Toyota in various positions around the world, Mr. Shingo ended his career as president of the Institute of Management Improvement, a company started by his father. In addition to helping the Shingo Institute expand its work, he helped many organizations around the world.

In honor of Mr. Shingo's many contributions to the Huntsman School, the Shingo Institute established the Ritsuo Shingo Memorial Endowed Scholarship at Utah State University. The scholarship will benefit students in the Master of Business Administration Program.