EARL TAFT

TAFT--Earl Jay. Retired professor of mathematics at Rutgers University, and originator of the Taft Algebra, died surrounded by family in San Francisco on August 9th at age 89, just weeks shy of his 90th birthday. A quintessential New Yorker and avid sports fan, Earl grew up in Far Rockaway and exhibited his prodigious intellectual gifts at an early age. He received many accolades by earning academic awards in a New York City-wide math Olympiad, in a New York City French competition, and a spelling bee competition by the time he had graduated high school at age 16. He went to Amherst College and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his Ph.D. from Yale University and became a pioneer in the field of Algebra. He founded the research journal Communications in Algebra which today is a prestigious venue for mathematical publications. Mathematics was his passion and the love of his life. The other love of his life and constant companion was his wife of 62 years, Hessy Levinsons Taft. During his 58-year career at Rutgers University, the couple traveled to academic conferences throughout the world, where he discussed his work not only in English, but also in fluent French and Spanish. A diversified intellectual, Earl could identify a quote from Shakespeare as easily as an aria from one of the Met operas he and Hessy regularly attended; and there was never an occasion for which he did not have a joke at the ready. A fanatical reader of The New York Times to his last days, Earl's views were always deeply considered and quietly articulated. He was passionate in his support of Israel and the importance of honoring his Jewish heritage. He was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed by his wife Hessy, his children Nina and Alex and their spouses Misha and Lisa, and his grandchildren Lily, Hank, Adam, and Maya.