He Saw No Boundaries

Richard E. Ewing

November 24, 1946 – December 5, 2007

Dr. Richard E. Ewing was born November 24, 1946, one of the first of the baby boomers, born after his father returned serving during World War II. Always a stellar student in school, he was also a top-ranked high school tennis player and an Eagle Scout. Dick earned his bachelor’s arts degree, master’s of arts degree and doctorate in mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was in the Longhorn Band and where he met his wife, Rita, as they marched near one another on the fields of the old Southwest Conference.

He served on the editorial boards for 12 major national and international scientific journals. He held the Mobil Technology Chair in Computational Science, TEES Distinguished Research Chair and was a distinguished professor of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at Texas A&M University.

He received an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Bergen, Norway, and an honorary guest professorship from Shandong University in China. He was also recognized with the Alexander von Humboldt Research Award from Germany and was elected as a foreign member of the Academia Europaea.

His visionary leadership advanced mathematics, engineering and computational sciences as he led many large-scale research projects. He was especially committed to international education and research as well as to interdisciplinary projects. Over the years, he made profound scientific discoveries and co-authored over 330 publications. He saw no boundaries whether in fields of study or artificial borders separating scientists.

He has served at Texas A&M University for the past 15 years, first as dean of the College of Science and later as the vice president of Research. He recently returned to the Mathematics Department and directorship of the Institute for Scientific Computation.

Above all, he loved his family whole-heartedly. Survivors include his wife, Rita; sons, John, Larry and Brad, all of Austin; daughters-in-law, Karen, Kristy and Lexi, all of Austin; three perfect granddaughters, Sarah, Eva and Katherine; all of Austin; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and closest to his heart was Rita’s large family who welcomed Dick and his mother as treasured members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister.

Pallbearers will be brothers-in-law, James Williams, Casey Williams, Patrick Williams, Jerry Lauderdale, Ken Gilbert and James Gardner; and lifelong friend, Larry Flournoy.

Funeral services are at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 8 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, located at 2541 E. Hwy. 6 in College Station. Cremation will follow.

Memorials can be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, 502 W. 26th St., Bryan, Texas 77803.

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