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Andrew Engelward
1966 - 2025
UPCOMING SERVICE
Andrew Engelward Obituary
Andy went on to study at Yale and Harvard Universities. He later returned to Harvard, teaching mathematics there for more than twenty-five years. Both teaching and mathematics were a joy for Andy from his early years. Andy was a founding director of the Mathematics for Teaching graduate degree program at the Harvard Extension School, where he taught thousands of teachers and inspired countless classrooms across the country.
When Andy and Bevin Engelman were married, in 1990, they joined their names together and became the Engelwards. Andy was utterly devoted to his whole family – Bevin, their two sons Taran and Rowan, his parents, and his sisters Alida and Penny. Loving care for other people was Andy's total being.
A funeral service will be held for Andy on December 17 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Parish Church in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Memorial Events
for Andrew Engelward
Memories and Condolences
for Andrew Engelward
20 Entries
Robert Winters
Earlier today
Andy was a good friend, a former officemate when we were both Preceptors in the Harvard Mathematics Department, and just an all-around great person. I am heartbroken.
Mary McCarthy
Earlier today
To Andy's family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I want you to know how far-reaching the legacy of Andy truly is. He was a remarkable teacher. Everyone who was in his classes LOVED to learn, because of Andy. He strove to make us think while enjoying every minute of the process. As part of the Harvard Mathematics for Teaching program, I was blessed to have Andy as a professor for three different classes. Andy inspired us to be the best students we could be. Most importantly, his love for teaching inspired us to continue growing as teachers. Andy has influenced generations of math teachers in the most positive way. The example Andy set through his kindness, patience, compassion and enthusiasm for mathematics are all things we choose to model when we teach. As we continue to do the important work as educators of mathematics, Andy's philosophy and ideals will continue to influence our students for many years to come. The work Andy has done to build communities of support for math teachers is tremendous. I am a better teacher because of Andy. For that, I am forever grateful.
Graeme Bird
Yesterday
I send my deep condolences to Andy's family. I had worked with Andy at Harvard and knew him through the Math for Teaching program. He also guided and encouraged me about 10 years ago when a colleague and I were making videos advertising math courses for prospective students. So very supportive and fun to work with. I will miss you Andy.
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Michaela Tracy
Yesterday
I have struggled to find the words to describe Andy. He was truly a beacon of light and positivity in our complicated world. Andy was never cross or angry with anyone, and was especially jovial when teaching. As a current high school teacher, I honestly don't know how he did that. Andy gave 125% to his students every minute.
His joy and love of learning were apparent to all of us. His puzzles of the day were always aimed at the perfect level of challenge and enjoyment. He showed us that math was indeed, for everyone. As his TA, I saw how much he cared for his students and made sure they had a positive experience. I know that all of us in the Math for Teaching program are grieving this tremendous loss to our community.
During the pandemic, I was living with my parents for a while. Every Wednesday night, I'd join Andy's E-300 class without my headphones so my family could listen in. My parents are both retired math teachers, and my mom always loved listening along. She said she wouldn't have dropped out of graduate school if she had a teacher like Andy. Andy really "got" it - that is, what current and prospective math teachers needed in his courses.
For me, I will be forever grateful to have been in Andy's classes for these past few years. I will probably never meet someone as kind, generous, and passionate about teaching. My thoughts are with his family during this time, and I hope they find some comfort in the profound impact Andy had on so many of us.
Heejung Han
December 15, 2025
Dear Professor Andy,
Your class changed my life and led me to begin my master´s journey at Harvard.
I will always be grateful for your guidance.
Rest in peace.
Heejung Han
Patrick Collins
December 15, 2025
The world has dimmed some of late. Yet another bright light has darkened too soon. Andy, you will be missed.
As one of his students, I remember a brief moment in class when he reminded us that in uncertain and difficult times, there is solace to be found in the beauty of geometry. He referred to Euclid for comfort, and that sentiment seems more poignant than ever. Only Andy could have communicated it so viscerally.
Jaileen Baptista
December 15, 2025
Andy was an extraordinary teacher and human being. He had a rare gift for holding mathematical rigor at the highest level while still inviting humor, warmth, and thoughtful reflection into every moment. Even though I only ever learned from him on Zoom, his attention to Harvard based Zoom backgrounds and silly animations for holidays always made the space feel warm and welcoming.
I have never felt as successful or as proud of myself mathematically as I did in Andy´s courses. He helped me see the value in my own thinking and processes, and in doing so, he gave me confidence that will stay with me for the rest of my life. The feeling of being truly seen and respected as a learner is something I will always carry with me. I am so grateful to have learned from him, and I know I am not alone in that gratitude. My deepest condolences to his family, and my sincere thanks for sharing such a remarkable person with all of us.
Alex Hodara
December 15, 2025
Andy had a profound impact on me as a teacher and as a person, through his care for students, his joy in mathematics, and his belief that everyone deserves to experience that joy. While I was in his class, I created a math card game for my students, and their favorite card (held here by my son) is the "Professor Engelward" card. I was so proud to give it to Andy this year, and he was genuinely excited about it. I am inspired by the way he made math feel human and alive. I am deeply grateful for the time I had with him, and I carry his example with me every day as a teacher.
oliver knill
December 15, 2025
I owe Andy a lot. He was a great teacher and
colleague. He was an inspiration for many of us
at the math department.
Andy Robin
December 13, 2025
What a loss. An excellent teacher whose gentle, playful style and personal stories of struggle with math made it more accessible and understandable for me. Wish Harvard had more folks like Andy.
Juan Malagon
December 13, 2025
It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of my mentor and friend, Andrew Engelward. A brilliant mind at Harvard University, Andy taught me a most meaningful lesson: that true intelligence is not merely about cleverness, but about a kindness of heart that empowers everyone around you to become smarter, braver, and more insightful.
His guidance was the compass for my research, a project he directed with unwavering belief. It was more than academic; it became a tool that changed lives. He saw mathematics not as an abstract tower, but as a bridge to opportunity, and he gifted me the vision to build it.
Andy´s legacy is not just in the theorems we ponder or the papers we cite. It lives in the countless minds he elevated, the hearts he warmed, and the relentless, generous curiosity he instilled in all who knew him. The world has lost a rare light, one I already dearly miss.
Karina Araiza
December 13, 2025
Saddened to hear about the loss of a brilliant mathematics professor and an even greater human being. My deepest condolences to his loved ones and to the vast community of alumni who will miss him greatly. Rest in peace, Andy (as he always insisted all his pupils call him ). The Harvard Texas cohorts will remember Andy as the best at teaching some of the hardest mathematical concepts with unmatched kindness, patience, and genuine care for his students. He never just taught mathematics-he taught confidence, generosity, and how to lead with care. Those lessons live on in all of us who were fortunate to be his pupils and will reverberate through countless generations of our own students. I still have his hand-written capstone paper feedback that displays his kind character and empathetic demeanor. That was Andy: brilliant without ego, deeply human, and quietly witty.
Ahmad Harb
December 12, 2025
Andy was a an amazing and a humble human being, his love to teach and his passion in Math inspired a lot of teachers in Mathematics for Teaching program at HES, not only he taught us many subjects, he managed to impact all of us in away no one could ever imagine, his humour and his genuine dedication and willingness to help will live with us forever. In behave of all the Texas Teachers that he inspired, May he rest in eternal peace Andy will be truly missed! My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones :(
katherine k merseth
December 12, 2025
An absolutely brilliant teacher and colleague. We shared an interest in cases about teaching mathematics and a love of mathematics. Always willing to chat and contribute, he will be deeply missed. Kay Merseth
Valarie Seymour - The Bahamas
December 12, 2025
Professor Engelward - Andy as he was known to so many will be missed. He was my first introduction to Harvard´s Extension School - Math 300 and what a wonderful introduction. Andy you were a trailblazer, inspired me as a teacher to do more, be better, keep learning.
Sincere condolences to your family,
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