Borwein David
1924-2021
David Borwein died
peacefully in his sleep on September 3, 2021, at home. He was 97 years
old, enjoyed good health all his life, and left this world with his
sharp intellect and wit intact. He is survived by a tight-knit family
and community who love him, above all his wife Bessie, and daughter
Sarah, his nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is
predeceased by his sons, Jonathan and Peter.
David was born in
Kaunas, Lithuania, but grew up in South Africa, where he met Bessie,
his wife of 75 years. Initially trained as an engineer at the
University of Witwatersrand, he served in the Special Signal Services
of the South African forces during WWII and then went on to complete
his PhD in mathematics at the University of London in 1950, and his
D.Sc in 1960. From 1950 to 1963, David was a lecturer in mathematics
at St. Andrews University, Scotland. It was there that his three
children — Jonathan, Peter, and Sarah — were born. Both boys would
later follow David into mathematics, as would Sarah’s oldest
son.
In 1963, David came by
invitation to the University of Western Ontario as a visiting
professor, and never left. He became head of the mathematics
department in 1967, a position he held until 1989, while also
staunchly supporting Bessie as she pursued her own PhD and impressive
academic career.
David was president of
the Canadian Mathematical Society from 1985-1987, published over 125
papers and remained actively involved in research into his 90s. In his
later years David was increasingly devoted to Bessie and his family,
delighting in watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren grow.
Quietly loving but never sentimental, he would have found this
obituary completely unnecessary.
Funeral service will be
held at the Logan Funeral Home, 371 Dundas St., London, Ontario, on
Sunday, October 3 at 1pm. Interment to follow in Restmount
Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed at the LOGAN
FUNERAL HOME. Please register by here. If
you wish to attend the funeral service please call the Logan Funeral
Home (519) 433-6181 or email loganfuneralhome@execulink.com and
reference “Borwein” in the subject line. Include names and
phone numbers for all members of your
group. *NOTE*: As per the
directive of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, attendance numbers
will be restricted and masks are mandatory. In lieu of
flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Mathematics Society’s
David Borwein Distinguished Career Award,
cms.math.ca/about-the-cms/donations/
Online condolences can be expressed at www.loganfh.ca
A tree will be planted by the staff of the Logan Funeral Home as a
living memorial to David Borwein.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Borwein David 19242021..
Death notice for the town of: London, Province: Ontario