Math professor Guterman remembered

Friends and family gathered in front of a collage of photographs in Goddard Chapel last night for a memorial service for late mathematics professor Martin Guterman.

Guterman passed away Feb. 1 at the age of 62 after a nearly two-year long battle with esophageal cancer.

Math professors shared fond memories of Guterman. Professor Todd Quinto remembered Guterman for his concern for students' progress. "If a student showed a little bit of interest, Marty moved the world for him," Quinto said.

Guterman had "strong and well thought out views," Math Department Chair Christoph B"rgers said. B"rgers also mentioned the many math courses and programs developed by Guterman, including math of symmetry, math of social choice, and the differential equations course for engineers.

"Marty made Tufts a finer community," Dean of Arts and Sciences Susan Ernst said on behalf of the administration. "He helped [Tufts] look at our policies, our priorities, and how we treat each other. He brought attention to necessary issues," she said.

Other faculty members remembered Guterman's sense of humor, his will to push others, and his love for classical music.

Guterman's wife of 40 years, Sonia, closed the service. "He had this entire life that was very fulfilling," she said. "He created a whole life for me and my family."

The University has created two awards in Guterman's memory. One is for excellence in mathematics by first-year Tufts students, and the other is aimed towards high school students involved in chamber music at the New England Conservatory of Music.