The Department of Statistics mourns the passing of Thomas A. Willke, a founding member of our department, who died peacefully on August 21, 2025, at age 93.

 

Tom received his MA and PhD in Mathematics from Ohio State under the guidance of Ransom Whitney. After a brief appointment at the University of Maryland, Tom returned to Ohio State in 1966 and was one of the faculty who established the Department of Statistics in 1970.

 

Tom continued to serve the University with distinction as Vice Provost/Dean of Undergraduate Studies for the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences from 1973 to 1987, and as Acting Dean of University College from 1983 to 1985. After retiring from Ohio State in 1987, he continued his academic career as Chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Otterbein College until 1997.

 

Throughout his distinguished career, Tom focused on service to others and touched the lives of countless students and colleagues. His legacy lives on through the department he helped create and the many lives he influenced.

 

The department extends its deepest condolences to the Willke family.