Dr. Richard Askey
Richard Askey died on October 9, 2019 after a short illness.
Dr. Askey was
an emeritus professor at the University of Wisconsin, where he taught since
1963. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and an
Honorary Fellow of the Indiana Academy of Sciences. He was elected to the
National Academy of Sciences in 1999.
Professor
Askey's research was primarily in special functions, which are extensions
of the functions studied in high school. In addition to many research papers,
he coauthored what is now one of the standard books on special functions. More
recently he became involved in issues regarding mathematics education and
was on a plenary panel at the 10th International Congress on
Mathematics Education. He reviewed
many mathematics education reports both nationally and for various states. He
was an Edyth May Sliffe Award winner for his work with high school students.
Dr. Askey
received his undergraduate degree from Washington University, his master's
degree from Harvard University, and his PhD from Princeton University.