Rolf Bargmann Obituary

Sperryville, Va. - Rolf Erwin Franz Bargmann, a long-time resident of Athens, died on September 6, 2004.
Dr. Bargmann was born on May 13, 1921 in Germany, and he grew up in Berlin. His earliest passions persisted throughout his life: music, family, and learning. As a boy he performed as a soloist in Hadyn's Creation.
In 1947-48, Dr. Bargmann was a court interpreter at the war crimes trials in Nuremberg. He met Ilse Heckenbach in the same city, and they were married in 1949. Two years later he accepted a Rockefeller Foundation fellowship to study at the University of Chicago, and his family moved to the U.S. in 1955.
Dr. Bargmann completed a Ph.D. in statistics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1958 and held several academic and research positions thereafter, including one with IBM.
In 1966, Dr. Bargmann became a statistics and computer science professor at the University of Georgia. He received the Sandy Beaver Award for teaching excellence in 1981 and retired in 1989. During his quarter century with the department, he mentored many graduate students, whom he called his 'academic children.' In 1998, his students sponsored a computer lab at the Statistics Department in his honor.
Dr. Bargmann sang with the choir at Trinity Lutheran Church and with the Athens Choral Society. He and his wife traveled extensively, in the U.S., Europe, Asia and South America. He was on a trip to see his family and friends when he died, and he is buried in Berlin, Germany.
Dr. Bargmann is survived by his wife, Ilse Bargmann, now of Sperryville, Va.; his daughters and sons-in-law, Monika and Robert Brown, of Southern Pines, N.C.; Eve Bargmann and Joel Polin, of Sperryville, Va.; Cori Bargmann of New York, NY; and Dorie Bargmann of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his siblings, Jurgen and Renate Bargmann, and by his granddaughter, Sarah Brown, as well as by nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2535 Jefferson Road, Athens, Ga. at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2004. A reception follows at noon in the Statistics Department.
Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at www.onlineathens.com.
Athens Banner-Herald, Sunday, October 10, 2004

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Published by Athens Banner-Herald from Oct. 3 to Oct. 10, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Rolf Bargmann

9 Entries

Dr. Barry D. Simmons

September 27, 2021

I still remember his kind demeanor and his gentle nature.
He was a special human being

Megan C Timberlake

October 19, 2004

My heartfelt condolences and warm regards to my friend, Dr. Bargmann's daughter Evelyn, from a classmate at Athens High School.

Dennis Rains

October 10, 2004

Dorie and Family, I was saddened to read of your loss. I graduated from High School with Dorie and I remember your father and mother from my early work days in the Camera Dept. at our local KMart. Please know that you are in my thoughts. Again, I am sorry for your loss.

Ogden Allsbrook

October 10, 2004

My deepest condolences to you upon your loss. Rolf was always an inspiration and a friendly colleague. Our infrequent but welcome lunches at Snelling Hall were both joyful and memorable. Rolf's experiences as a youth in troubled times always placed fresh perspectives on a sad decade in world history. Only distance prevents me from seeing you at this time.

Gilles and Bernadette Allard

October 7, 2004

Dear Else, we were much saddened to learn of your husband's passing, and send our most sincere condolences. Gilles and Bernadette Allard

John and Carol Corina

October 6, 2004

It was both a joy and a privilege to have known Rolf Bargmann through his love of music. He, as well as his wife, Ilse, were enthusiastic choristers, singing with the Holy Cross Lutheran Church choir and the Athens Choral Society during our time there. Rolf always appreciated, encouraged and supported the performance of good music, both as a singer and as a listener.

Rolf also garnered high respect and admiration as a preeminent statistician. Many a UGA graduate student had a healthy fear of him!

We are saddened to have lost a fascinating and unique friend. We'll never forget him nor that charming twinkle in his eye. Our very best wishes go out to Ilse and to all the family. Peace.

Barry Simmons

October 4, 2004

I am thankful to have known Dr. Bargmann and to have received his always sincere help.

Jack Schuenemeyer

October 3, 2004

Rolf was my dissertation advisor, a distinguished statistician, and a dear friend. He cared deeply about the well being of all of his students. He will continue to inspire me. He will be missed. My condolences to Ilse, Cori, Dorie, Eve, and Monika and all his family.

Connie Durden

October 3, 2004

God bless Dr. Bargmann. I worked with him in the Department of Statistics at the University of Georgia for 15 years. He was a wonderful man. He will be missed very much by me and the department.

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