Donald W. Bushaw *52

Donald Bushaw, retired professor of mathematics emeritus at Washington State University (WSU), died Jan. 15, 2012, at the age of 85.

After serving in the Pacific with the Navy during World War II, Bushaw graduated from WSU (then Washington State College) in 1949. In 1952 he earned a Ph.D. in mathematics from Princeton with a dissertation on optimal-control theory under the noted professor, Solomon Lefschitz.

Bushaw then began teaching at WSU, where he served as chair of the mathematics department, director of libraries (twice), and vice provost for instruction. In 1972-1973, he was at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, on an exchange between the National Academy of Sciences and the Polish Academy of Sciences. He retired in 1993.

WSU honored Bushaw with: the Faculty Invited Address (1968); the first Faculty Excellence Award for Instruction (1983); the Distinguished Service Award from the College of Arts and Sciences (1987); and the College of Sciences 2008 Legacy Award.

Bushaw is survived by Sylvia, his wife of 65 years; five children, including Amy ’81; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A grandson died in 1988.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.