Theodore W. Anderson *45

Theodore Anderson, professor emeritus at Stanford and an eminent statistician who brought new mathematical vigor to economics and other social sciences, died Sept. 17, 2016, of heart failure. He was 98.

Anderson graduated in 1939 from Northwestern. He then earned a master’s degree in 1942, and a Ph.D. in mathematics in 1945 from Princeton. While at Princeton, he worked with Samuel S. Wilks, the father of mathematical statistics. In 1945, he joined the Cowles Commission for research in economics at the University of Chicago.

After a year, he joined the new mathematical statistics department at Columbia University, where he remained until 1967, when he moved to Stanford for a joint appointment in statistics and economics. He retired from the classroom in 1988, but continued to give talks, attend seminars, and do research. He recently completed a technical paper.

Starting at Chicago, his work involved developing mathematical equations to reveal underlying structures of the economy. These efforts evolved into the development of econometric models used today. He also made advances in analyzing data in psychology and social sciences. In 1986, he said his interest in economic and social science applications came from his goal of “doing some good.”

Anderson is survived by his wife, Dorothy; three children, including Robert ’77; and five grandchildren.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.