Frank E. Gerth III *72

Frank E. Gerth III of Austin, Texas, died May 23, 2006, at the age of 60.

He graduated from Rice University in1967, and then worked from 1967 to 1969 for TRW on the Apollo space program, helping create the computer programs that guided the Apollo moon landing in 1969. He then entered Princeton, earning a master’s in 1971 and a doctorate in mathematics in 1972.

Gerth spend more than 30 years teaching math and doing research at the University of Texas at Austin, maintaining his enthusiasm for helping students learn. He specialized in algebraic number theory, and published more than 70 articles. He was promoted to associate professor in 1980, and then professor in 1987. Dedicated to supporting and recognizing excellence in mathematics education, he endowed mathematics fellowships at three universities, including Princeton.

He is survived by his mother and his brother.