Vladimir Scheffer *74

Vladimir died after a sudden illness April 14, 2023, in New Brunswick, N.J. 

Born in Venezuela Nov. 8, 1950, Vladimir immigrated to Florida more than 50 years ago before settling in New Jersey. He received a Ph.D. in mathematics from Princeton in 1974. His area of scholarship was partial differential equations and geometric measure theory. His dissertation topic was “Regularity and Irregularity of Solutions to Nonlinear Second-Order Elliptic Systems of Partial Differential Equations and Inequalities.” 

Vladimir taught at Princeton before becoming a tenured professor Rutgers, where he taught for many years. He translated from Russian a book on ergodic theory by Jakov Grigorevich  Sinai, and it was published by Princeton University Press in 1976. In 1993, he proved the existence of paradoxical weak solutions of the Euler equations of ideal incompressible liquids, which correspond to the sudden occurrence of turbulent flows without external stimulation. In 2000, with Jean Taylor he published an extensive postponed proof from the geometric measurement theory by his Princeton dissertation adviser, Frederick Almgren.

Vladimir is survived by his wife of more than 40 years Ruth; his nephew, Ethan; niece Samantha; and several cousins. 

Graduate alumni memorials are prepared by the APGA.