Professor Marcel F. Neuts

Professor Marcel F. Neuts 2/21/1935 – 3/9/2014 Marcel Neuts passed away peacefully in his home in Tucson with family by his side. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Olga; sister, Jenny Malysse and family; children, Chris Neuts (wife Kathy), Myriam Neuts, Kitty Sedam (husband Mark) and Debbie Neuts and grandchildren, Haley, Tyler and Steven Sedam. Marcel was a loving husband and a devoted father and grandfather. Marcel and Olga were born in Belgium and moved to the US when they married in 1956 for Marcel to continue his studies at Stanford. He earned his PhD in statistics from Stanford in 1961, and he became a professor at Purdue in 1962. He became a distinguished professor at University of Delaware in 1976, and retired from University of Arizona in 1997. Teaching and science were Marcel's true passions. He published five books on mathematics, and his many students became part of his family. He was an excellent speaker and traveled the world as a guest lecturer. Marcel spoke many languages and embraced cultures he visited. He had a deep respect for nature and camped across the US. His joy of learning showed in his collection of books and music and the conversations he relished. Marcel will be missed by his family and friends, and his influence will continue to be felt for years to come. Services will be held Sunday, March 16, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. Donations in honor of Marcel may be sent to Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.