Ernest Arthur Michael
University of Washington Professor Ernest Arthur Michael died on April 29, 2013 after a long decline in health. He is survived by his wife Erika, his brother, Charles Michael, his sister, Jackie Errera, his sons Alan, David, Gerard, and Joshua, his daughter Hillary, and his beloved grandchildren.
Professor Michael was born on August 26, 1925 in Zrich, Switzerland and spent the early part of his life in Frankfurt and Berlin. He moved with his family to The Hague, Netherlands, on New Year's Day of 1931 to evade the increasing threat of Nazi persecution.
His parents, Jakob Michael and Erna Sondheimer Michael, eventually settled the family on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Professor Michael attended The Horace Mann School, graduating in 1941 at age 15. Afterwards, he enrolled at Cornell University majoring first in civil engineering, then in mathematics. Enlisting in the Navy, he served aboard the escort carrier, USS Kwajalein, until 1946.
Upon his return, he resumed his studies at Cornell, earning his BA in 1947, an MA in Mathematics at Harvard in 1948, and his Ph.D - specializing in General Topology - at The University of Chicago in 1951. Recalling the beauty of the Puget Sound region during his time in the Navy, he was delighted when a position in his field opened up at The University of Washington in Seattle. He applied for the position and became one of the math department's longest-term professors, becoming Emeritus in 1993.
In Mathematics, Professor Michael became best known for his work on paracompact spaces. Two important developments in the field are named for him: the Michael line and the Michael Selection Theorem. During his distinguished career, he went on to publish over 100 papers and was Editor of Proceedings of The American Math Society and Topology and Its Applications.
Professor Michael was an Inaugural Fellow of the American Mathematical Society, four-time Visiting Scholar at The Princeton Institute for Advanced Study, as well as Visiting Professor at the E.T.H. Zurich, University of Stuttgart, and University of Munich. He was a grantee of the AEC Office of Naval Research, National Science Foundation, Guggenheim Foundation, and the Humboldt Foundation.
A lifetime collector of Judaica and modern art, Professor Michael supported many philanthropic causes, both in the Seattle region and in Israel.
A funeral service is planned for Wednesday, May 1st at 3:00 p.m. at Temple Beth Am, Seattle.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by David Michael.
6 Entries
Dave,
Your father left a legacy to be proud of - a large body of original work, and a wonderful family including your own two great kids. I'm glad they got to know and love their grandfather, and I'm sure they'll remember him throughout their lives.
Ed Acciardi
May 5, 2013
After reading about your father I am sorry to have not meet him personally. Our families thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Barry and Laura Hasson
May 1, 2013
R.I.P .may our God give the rest of the family peace.
rahab Muthaki
April 30, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss. I know losing a loved one is hard to go through, I will keep you in my prayers. May you draw close to God at this time.
April 30, 2013
Hillary, so sorry for your loss. May his memory be a blessing! xo
April 30, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Treina Siegel
April 30, 2013
Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more