Distinguished professor of mathematics dies doing what he loved

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Exponent) - To die doing what you love is not a fate many men have the privilege to experience. To also die doing what you love while staying at the top of your field for nearly 60 years is an even greater exception.

Shreeram “Ram” Abhyankar, 82, suffered a heart attack in his home while he was at his desk working on mathematics on the morning of Friday, Nov 2. He was declared dead at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Lafayette, with his wife of 54 years, Yvonne, by his side. He is survived by his children Hari and Kashi and his four grandchildren.

Freydoon Shahidi, a distinguished professor of mathematics, spoke of Abhyankar’s penchant for his work in mathematics up until his very end.

You can read the rest of this story at the Purdue Exponent website .