Michael A. Buchner ’69

Michael died Aug. 6, 2013, at his home in Albuquerque, N. M., after battling multiple system atrophy for more than seven years.

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Michael followed his brother, Stephen ’68, to Princeton from Rondebosch Boys’ High School in Cape Town. At Princeton, he was a University scholar, majoring in mathematics with a minor in physics. He wrote his thesis under the guidance of Professor Arthur Wightman. At graduation, he was the Latin salutatorian.

Michael received a Ph.D. from Harvard in 1973. Following positions at the University of Michigan and the University of Maryland, he moved to the University of New Mexico, where he enjoyed doing mathematics research and teaching mathematics to both undergraduate and graduate students. He relished the outdoors and especially enjoyed frequent hikes in New Mexico. His greatest joy was bringing up his daughter, Caroline   — “the shining star in his firmament,” according to his brother, Stephen — as a single parent.

His marriage ended in divorce in 2004. He   is survived by Caroline, Stephen, and Stephen’s family. They and many of his classmates will miss this distinguished and fine man.