The math department is sad to announce that emeritus professor and past Chair “Jake” Bear died on Dec. 22, 2007 at the age of 78.

Jake joined the department as Chair in 1969 and was responsible for hiring most of the department faculty. He received his Ph.D. in 1957 at the University of California Berkeley under John Kelley. He is survived by his wife and retired Associate Chair of the math department Ruth Wong; his son, John; daughter, Katharine; and brother, John.