Thomas R. Berger, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Colby College, died October 22, 2024 in Oberlin, Ohio at the age of 83. He is survived by spouse Jeanne, children Amy and Scott, and numerous friends, caregivers, and many alumni from both Colby College and the University of Minnesota whom he taught.
Tom was born on 3 July, 1941, in Seattle, Washington and shortly thereafter moved to Sunnyvale, California where he completed high school. Tom earned his B.S. degree in Mathematics and Physics from Trinity College in Connecticut and went on to complete his Ph.D. in Mathematics from California Institute of Technology. In 1967, he started his career in group theory and representation theory at the University of Minnesota. His interest in education also led him to teach in the University of Minnesota program for gifted and talented high school students. From 1988-1991 he worked at the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C. overseeing the awarding of grants for the improvement of mathematics education nationwide. Tom resumed teaching as the Carter Professor of Mathematics at Colby College in Maine, where he remained a passionate practitioner of transformative education until his retirement in 2006.
Tom was a lifelong learner with interests in travel, music, amateur radio, electronics, literature, Scouting, carpentry, and folk dance. It was the latter that had him venturing out in all weather via scooter from CalTech to Pomona College, where he met his wife Jeanne. She joined him in research sojourns in Coventry, England; Canberra, Australia; Auckland and Hamilton, New Zealand; Essen and Mainz, Germany; and Guangzhou, China, frequently with family in tow. Tom played a mean harmonica, and also dabbled in guitar, banjo, ukulele, and autoharp. At home he was most often found in his workshop designing and building electronic equipment or in his armchair deeply engrossed in a book.
Tom profoundly valued education. If you feel so moved, please consider contributing to the Berger Family Endowed Scholars Fund at Colby College, 4370 Mayflower Hill, Waterville, Maine 04901. This fund helps underrepresented students gain access to a STEM-focused education. You can equally honor his memory by discovering something new to learn that brings you joy.
