In Memoriam

Professor Emeritus Rudi Mathon

Rudi Mathon

May 2022

The Departments of Mathematical and Computational Sciences (MCS) and Computer Science (DCS) are saddened by the loss of Professor Emeritus Rudi Mathon.

Rudolf A. "Rudi" Mathon received his first degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Prague in 1962. He received his MSc and PhD in Mathematics from the University of Toronto in 1972 in the areas of numerical analysis of partial differential equations. In 1972, Mathon joined the tri-campus graduate Department of Computer Science and the Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences at the University of Toronto Mississauga.

His research interests were in the area of analysis and design of algorithms for numerical and combinatorial problems. Much of his recent research dealt with combinatorial design theory and its application to various areas of computer science.

Mathon also served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Combinatorial Designs and the Australasian Journal of Combinatorics.

Mathon retired as a Professor Emeritus in 2006 after 34 years at the University. 

 

Professor Avner Magen

In memoriam

May 2010

The Departments of Mathematical and Computational Sciences (MCS) and Computer Science (DCS) are deeply saddened by the untimely death of Professor Avner Magen, who was killed in an avalanche in Denali National Park, Alaska on May 29, 2010. Avner was an Associate Professor in DCS and the Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences at the University of Toronto, Mississauga.  We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Avner was a superb scholar, making fundamental contributions to a number of areas of theoretical computer science that include metric embeddings, sublinear algorithms, convex programming, computational geometry and approximation algorithms.  He was awarded an Ontario Early Researcher Award in 2007.

Avner did his undergraduate and graduate studies at Hebrew University and received his Ph.D. in Computer Science in 2002.  After holding a postdoctoral fellowship at NEC Research in Princeton, NJ, he joined the University of Toronto in 2002, first as a postdoctoral fellow, and then as an Assistant Professor in 2004.  He was promoted to an Associate Professor in 2009.  Avner was a wonderful colleague with a terrific sense of humour and great energy.  He was a dedicated research supervisor and superb teacher whose mentorship inspired his students and all those around him.

The loss of such a mathematical brilliance will have a profound impact on his colleagues, collaborators, and the entire research community.