Edward P. Merkes

Cincinnati - Edward P. Merkes died peacefully on April 25, 2021. He was 92.

Ed was born and raised in Chicago. Hardworking, gifted, and blessed, he received a PhD in Mathematics from Northwestern University. While serving in the Army, he met and married Gerry, who preceded him in death. In 1963, he started teaching at the University of Cincinnati, where he was a diligent, compassionate and beloved teacher and leader. After retirement, he continued to teach and serve in various capacities, giving dignity to people -- significantly via the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Ed was a fun and generous person who loved math, good food, wine, art and classical music. He is survived by his son Fritz (Claire) Merkes, and grandsons Wes (Sara) Merkes and Will Merkes and many friends.

Visitation: Friday, May 7, 2021 at 9 a.m. at St. Xavier Church, 611 Sycamore St., Cincinnati, 45202, followed by Funeral Mass at 10 a.m.

Memorials can be made to St. Vincent de Paul Cathedral/St. Xavier Conference.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Cincinnati Enquirer from May 3 to May 5, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Edward Merkes

12 Entries

Carl Singer

August 9, 2023

I'm so sorry to have missed visiting Ed before he passed. If not for him, I would never have completed my PhD.
Carl Singer 1973

Patrick Tracy

October 9, 2021

I was a student at UC in the 1960s. He taught me advanced calculus and was a great teacher.

MOHAMMAD SALMASSI

May 31, 2021

Ed was my dear friend and mentor. I wrote three math papers with him; I would say under him since his contribution exceeded mine by far. He encouraged me to persevere when I was down and needed guidance. He and his wife Gerry were also great human beings who cared for just causes. I will miss you Ed. Your name will stay in glory.

J HENRY AMBROSE

May 19, 2021

Dr. Merkes was one of professors and I believe head of the Mathematics department at the time I received my Masters degree. Condolences to his family.

Kevin O Donovan

May 7, 2021

Debbie and I are saddened by the news of Ed's death. He was a very kind and decent man. He was a good neighbor with a dry sense of humor. He will be missed. May God have mercy on Ed's soul. He, Gerry and the Merkes family are in our thoughts and prayers. We will be making a donation to in his memory to St. Vincent De Paul an organization that was near and dear to Ed's heart. May he rest in peace.

Philip Korman

May 7, 2021

Ed was a great colleague, who built up a very strong research department, with excellent facilities. He cared about the department after his retirement too. I will miss him.

jim deddens

May 6, 2021

I was an undergraduate when Ed came to UC in 1963. I vividly remember taking Numerical Analysis and Complex Analysis from him, along with Dave Minda. Ed was a great teacher making clear lectures, interesting homework assignments and tests. He encouraged me to go to graduate school, so I applied to UC, Indiana and Chicago. Well I did not get in Chicago but got a NASA fellowship at Indiana. Later I had teaching positions at Michigan, Kansas and SUNY at Buffalo. Every year I would return to Cincinnati to visit my parents and I would always visit Ed in the department. He encouraged me to return to UC and in 1977 I was fortunate to return to UC and teach for 35 years. Ed was still Chairman and he hired he in 1977. He had a huge impact on me and my career. He also had a large influence on the future direction of the department.
Thanks Ed

David Minda

May 6, 2021

I was a senior math major at UC in 1964-65. I took the graduate Complex Analysis course from Ed that year. Ed was a very engaging and enthusiastic teacher; this course convinced me to attend graduate school and work towards a PhD in complex analysis. I earned an MS in math at UC in 1966 and wrote my MS thesis under Ed's guidance. Ed recommenced that I apply to the doctoral program at UCSD which was just starting. Then I moved to UCSD in September 1966 and received my doctorate in 1970. His advice that I should seek my doctorate at UCSD proved instrumental to my future career in mathematics.

Shuang Zhang

May 5, 2021

Ed was on the Search Committee for hiring four Assistant Professors, Scott Dumas, Don French, Bingyu Zhang, and me in 1990.
I enjoyed working with him and having pleasant conversations with him at various occasions. He was very friendly and professional in handling departmental matters.
Last time when I chatted with him was right before the COVID pandemic in March of 2020. Ed, I am going to miss you a lot!

Sister Kathleen Hebbeler, OP

May 5, 2021

I knew Ed and Gerry many years ago when Gerry worked for Dominican Community Services. They were both kind and generous. They gave of their time and treasure to help others.

Nancy Diemler

May 5, 2021

Ed was such a positive, kind, caring, thoughtful, accepting, generous person, and so diverse in his interests and ideas. He always told me something new & interesting each time he would stop by, and he made me smile & laugh with his stories he'd share with me. I will miss him greatly.

Roger Chalkley

May 4, 2021

I first met Ed Merkes in September of 1963 when he joined the portion of the Mathematics Department then housed in the Physics Building, now called Braunstein Hall. At that time, offices were shared, numerous retirements were about to occur, and part of the Mathematics Library was crowded into the Physics Library. During the following years, Ed Merkes was largely responsible for the move of the entire Mathematics Department to the top floor of the Old Chemistry Building, where faculty had their own offices as well as convenient access to that wonderful Mathematics Library where the entire collection of mathematical publications was made available. There is much more. Naturally, I am grateful for Ed's help and friendship.

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