Thomas W. Hungerford

1936 - 2014

Hungerford, Thomas W. died peacefully on Friday, November 28th with his family at his side. He is survived by his children Anne E. Hungerford and Thomas J. Hungerford; his brother John Hungerford (Kathryn), his sister Mary Haraburd (Dirk), multiple cousins and in-laws, and numerous nieces and nephews. Tom was born in Oak Park, IL in 1936 and moved to St. Louis at age 16. He graduated from St. Louis University High School (valedictorian) in 1954, earned a B.A. Summa cum Laude at the College of the Holy Cross in 1958 and a Ph.D. in mathematics at the University of Chicago in 1963. He taught mathematics at the University of Washington, Seattle (19631980) and then at Cleveland State University (1980-2001). After moving back to St. Louis in 2003, he had an office at St. Louis University until 2013, when he retired from writing and revising textbooks. In addition to a number of research papers in algebra, Tom authored or co-authored more than a dozen mathematics textbooks, ranging from high school to graduate level, nine of which are still in print. Several are used abroad (in English, Chinese, or Spanish editions). Tom met his wife Mary Alice Ryan in 1953 at Camp Wyman in Eureka (he was a counselor and she was the camp nurse). They were married June 7th, 1958. The marriage lasted over 54 years until her death in 2012. Services: A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 19th at the First Unitarian Church, 5007 Waterman Blvd (at Kingshighway), St. Louis 63108, with a luncheon reception after the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Unitarian Church or to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Ca rondelet (6400 Minnesota Ave., St. Louis 63111) or to the charity of your choice. www.colliersfuneralhome.com