Neil Lawrence White had a love of cracking logic games, completing puzzles and caring for his students.
The retired UF mathematics professor died Aug. 11 at North Florida Regional Medical Center from an ongoing illness. He was 69.
A celebration of life event was held Sunday at the Florida Museum of Natural History, where White spent his time volunteering during retirement.
White’s interest in math and all things logical were inspired by a high school math teacher. He recieved his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and Ph.D. from Harvard University. He came to UF in 1973 and eventually retired in 2008. During that time, White served as the math department associate chair and taught for 35 years.
His wife of 47 years, Mary, said her husband, who joked that he looked like Jeopardy! host, Alex Trebek, tried to make math as entertaining as possible for his students.
“He would often ask Jeopardy! questions to the students to make it fun,” she said. “He enjoyed teaching and he always enjoyed going to work.”
Krishnaswami Alladi, a UF mathematics professor, said White shared his love of math in each of his lectures.
“He was a first-rate mathematician and someone very dedicated to the math department,” Alladi said.
He also said White consistently received rave reviews from his students.
One memory left a lasting impression on Alladi, who said White came into his office to request that his raise be given to a younger faculty member.
“He went out of his way to help,” he said.
White lent a helping hand not only to faculty, but also to his students. Alladi said White applied for a grant for minority students in the math department.
“He single-handedly applied for that grant, and we got it,” Alladi said.
Another colleague recalled White’s dedication.
“He was a very caring person, and he especially cared about his students,” said Louis Block, a UF mathematics professor.
In his memory, UF’s Department of Mathematics is establishing the Neil White Excellence in Teaching Award to honor his devotion to students and the department.
Donations for the award can be sent to the Department of Mathematics, P.O. Box 118105, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
