Peter Arthur Fox Ph.D.

1959 - 2021

Troy - Peter Arthur Fox, Ph. D., 61, died suddenly Saturday, March 27, 2021.Born in Devonport, Tasmania, Australia, he was son of Devona Edith Reeves Fox of Australia and the late Thomas Peter Fox. He was raised in Australia as an active sportsman, he loved the outdoors and is a family man. Peter had resided with partner Erica in Troy for many years @ RPI.Dr. Fox earned a Bachelor of Science degree (Honors I) in mathematics and a Doctorate in mathematics, both from Monash University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Dr. Fox was the Tetherless World Constellation Chair, Director of the Information Technology and Web Science program, and Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Computer Science, and Cognitive Science. He joined Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2008 to complete the Tetherless World Constellation. Prior to this, Dr. Fox was the Chief Computational Scientist at the High Altitude Observatory of the National Center for Atmospheric Research, but began the journey as a research scientist at Yale University.His work has aided researchers at organizations including the Deep Carbon Observatory, NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Global Change Research Program in the most effective use of data to advance knowledge within their fields. Dr. Fox was well-respected in his field and earned many prestigious professional distinctions. Dr. Fox was elected as Fellow to the American Association for the Advancement of Science in recognition of his "distinguished, innovative, and sustained fundamental contributions in Earth and space science informatics and data science research, education, and service."Survivors include his partner, Erica Veil; his mother, Devona Edith Fox; a daughter, Megan Fox-Smith (Marty); three grandchildren, Amelia, Max, and Zac; a son, Evan Peter Fox (fiancée Vanessa Tsaples); his brother, Paul Fox (Alaina); two nephews, Scott Fox (Amy) and Michael Fox (Bianca); a niece, Sarah Mangan (Tom); and other extended family in Florida, Ireland, and Tasmania. He will be greatly missed by numerous colleagues, students, former students, and friends.A memorial service will be held at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Chapel and Cultural Center 2125 Burdett Avenue Troy, on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 7:15PM. Face covering and social distancing are required both outside and inside during the service. A Webex link can be accessed via C&CC.RPI.To read the complete obituary, sign the guest book or light a candle please visit, www.brycefuneralhome.com. https://www.lastingmemories.com/peter-arthur-fox-phd