EVE ARMSTRONG Obituary

ARMSTRONG--Eve K. Eve K. Armstrong, most beloved daughter, sister, wife, aunt, and friend died October 18th at her home in Manhattan. Eve received her BA from Columbia University and PhD from UC San Diego. David Helfand, Joe Patterson, Jules Halpern, and Jacqueline van Gorkum of Columbia and Henry Aberbanal and George Fuller of UC San Diego were Eve's much-admired teachers and mentors who provided her encouragement and guidance throughout her career. Eve was a tenured associate professor of physics at NYIT and a senior researcher at the AMNH in the Astrophysics Department. She loved a challenge, a practical joke, playing piano and sharing her lovely singing voice with friends and in choirs. She got a kick out of being a New Yorker and of the spectacular views of the Hudson she could see from windows of the apartment she shared with her husband. Eve had a lifelong interest in theater, acting, and found pleasure in encouraging her physics students in writing, directing, and performing short, science-themed plays. Eve loved to travel and each summer took part as co-host of physics seminars throughout Europe, with physicists from around the world as guests. Most of all, she lived for the joy of finding things out. She was the lead author and solo author of many articles in theoretical physics, all of which have been published in technical journals. Eve's survivors include her husband, Wayne Yeager; parents, Ellen and Peter Armstrong; sister, Sara White; brother-in-law, David White; three nephews, Silo, Emory, and Wolfie White; and a step-niece, Nehmiah Walker-White; a cousin, Ghazi Al-Marayati and his family; and her aunt, Cornelia O'Connor. Eve was a generous spirit, a fountain of energy, a terrific conversationalist, and a luminous presence in all of our lives. We adored her. Her loss, to those who loved her, is incalculable. A private memorial will be held at Columbia University, Pupin Hall on Friday, October 25th from 5-7pm. Anyone who wishes to attend, please contact Sara White at [email protected].

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Published by New York Times on Oct. 23, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for EVE ARMSTRONG

14 Entries

Adam Orin

October 29, 2024

Eve is my lifelong friend. We met at UCSD, her office was next to mine. Grad school was a weird place and it was so refreshing to talk someone who had the same opinion of it all. She quickly became one of my best friends. I've never met someone who sprinkles sophisticated eloquence with cheeky wackiness as well as she did.

Friend is a misnomer because friends come and go. She feels more like family to me. Although we got busy with our lives on opposite sides of the country, I knew she was out there having great adventures and that made me happy. I felt like honored nobility when her Christmas cards would arrive each year.

I miss you so much. I'll try to fill my days with as much cheeky zest as you did...

The McKittrick Hotel

Planted Trees

Peter Armstrong

October 27, 2024

I've heard that children take after their parents. But with Eve, I've had occasion to wonder if this might somehow work the other way around.
One day when she was 4, she asked me a question. I don't recall just what -- its topic was routine. But it called for a more layered response than my distraction at the moment (being awfully busy with something or other) could easily manage. So I took a chance -- gave a short answer that, if maybe sensible as far as it went, certainty didn't "cover the field".
Well, Eve listened, straightened, looked me level in the eye and said, "Boppie [my name], WHOLE THING!"
And I thought, "Oh boy, I'm going to have to shape up". That's the story. My thanks to you -- all of you -- for what you've been to Eve.

John Handrakis

October 25, 2024

Although I did not know Eve personally, I was very impressed by her scholarly work, grant applications, and her students' love for her. My deepest condolences to her husband, family and friends. She will be missed.
Sincerely

Jim Martinez

October 25, 2024

I am deeply sorry for your loss. Eve was a colleague with whom I had hoped to collaborate more. Though our time together was brief, it was both joyful and meaningful. We shared laughs about the administrative burdens of NSF grants, talked about running, and debated the pros and cons of her quirky toe shoes. She even asked me to observe her teaching and write a piece for her tenure portfolio. I was struck by her talent as an educator and came away with insights on Schrödinger's Cat and the fascinating duality of light as both a wave and a particle.

In total, I spent only a few hours with Eve, and we met in person just six times. Yet her impact on me is far greater than the hours we shared-she was truly special. Eve made the world a better place, and her contributions endure, even though she is no longer with us.
Here´s a revision that maintains your sentiment:

---

To me, Eve is like light-both with us and not. I feel incredibly fortunate to have known her, and I accept the sorrow of her loss as the price for having had her in my life.

My deepest condolences to all who loved her.

Sincerely,
Dr. Jim Martinez

Evan Grohs

October 24, 2024

My heartfelt condolences to all of her family. I cannot begin to comprehend what everyone is going through. I met Eve in San Diego when we were both graduate students. We collaborated a little bit on physics, but I will mainly remember all of the discussions and friendly disagreements we had on a range of topics. She was thoughtful, eloquent, and articulate. She justified her points and did so with grace and resolve. In the last physics talk I heard her give, she got the audience involved in a light-hearted way but then adeptly spun their answers into a scientific point. I have never seen anyone do that in any kind of academic setting, and I do not think I will ever see that again. She will be so dearly missed by so many of her friends and colleagues.

David Elson

October 24, 2024

Brilliant and hilarious; a wellspring of ideas and insights; a talented writer, singer and actress; a loyal and generous friend keeping in frequent touch until the end. She touched and inspired many people.

Lynn Wells

October 24, 2024

I am so sorry for loss, I can´t even imagine what you are all going through. Sometimes things just don´t make sense and this must be so difficult for all of you.

Jennifer Griffiths

October 23, 2024

I admired Eve's ability to merge science and theater and particularly her dedicated work with her improv students at New York Tech. We will feel this significant loss and are grateful for the time we had with Eve as our energetic, creative colleague.

Dave Spiegel

October 23, 2024

Eve was one of the most inspiring, life-filled people I have ever known. I'm so grateful to have known her. She will live on through everyone whose lives she touched.

Fran

October 23, 2024

Dear Peter,Ellen, Sara& family, my heartfelt condolences for your loss. Eve was a beam of light as a child when I knew her & continued to be...I will always remember her who @ 9 years old told me with complete confidence that she wanted to an austraunt when she grew up. When I look @ the sky now, it will always remind me of one of its stars. Rest in light Eve. With much affection, your neighbor/friend, Fran S. P.S. thank you for complimenting my star shaped cookies,Eve
I made one Christmas year, I made them with you in mind.

Phil Cutrone

October 23, 2024

A wonderful co-Star with a delightful sense of humor. You will be missed

Faith Elliott

October 23, 2024

Requiescat in Pace, beloved Eve