Show-Me State Times

Helen De Cruz, Ph.D., the Danforth Chair in the Humanities at Saint Louis University, passed away on June 20, 2025, at the age of 46. The Belgian-born philosopher was known for her work on why humans engage in activities such as theology, mathematics, and science that are seemingly unrelated to survival and reproduction.

Eleonore Stump, Ph.D., a professor of philosophy, commented on De Cruz's impact: “In her short life, Helen De Cruz succeeded in producing a body of work that has had a far-ranging influence on the field of philosophy. In her outpouring of writing during her last illness, she made a deep impact on many people who will remember her a long time for the spiritedness with which she faced her own mortality. Her death leaves a palpable emptiness."

De Cruz joined Saint Louis University in 2019 as a full professor in the Department of Philosophy and held a secondary appointment in Theological Studies. She also served as editor-in-chief of Res Philosophica, an international journal publishing research across various philosophical areas.

Scott Ragland, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Philosophy at SLU said: “Our department has been greatly blessed by Helen De Cruz's creativity, generosity and intelligence. She worked tirelessly to encourage and uplift students, especially graduate students. Her positive attitude and spirit of giving will be sorely missed.”

De Cruz played a role when Saint Louis University earned its "R1" designation from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching earlier this year. She was named to SLU’s first cohort of Research Institute Fellows in August 2022 and received a Scholarly Works Award from SLU’s Research Institute for an article co-written with Pauline Lee titled “How to be useless,” published in Psyche.

Pauline Lee reflected on their collaboration: “She was taken from this world much too soon... I had the great fortune of teaching with her and writing with her... my worldview is changed for the better because of her.”

De Cruz authored several monographs including "Wonderstruck: How Awe and Wonder Shape the Way We Think," alongside numerous papers published in various journals. Additionally, she managed roles as executive editor for Journal of Analytic Theology and managing editor for Faith and Philosophy.

Lee added about De Cruz's approach to life: “She lived her life boldly and courageously... it seemed she never paused for conventional boundaries... If I think of Helen I can’t help but smile.”

De Cruz held degrees from Ghent University and doctoral degrees from Free University Brussels and University Groningen. Her academic career included postdoctoral research fellowships at universities such as Leuven and Oxford before joining Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam as an assistant professor in 2015.

In 2016 she moved to Oxford Brookes University before eventually joining Saint Louis University where she taught Meta-ethics among other subjects.

Survived by husband Johan De Smedt; daughter Aliénor; son Gabriel; Lee remarked: “What I most will remember about Helen is how she spoke of her beautiful beloved family — may Helen’s memory be a blessing.”