Robert Thomas Glassey

Robert Thomas Glassey January 12th, 1946 – February 15th, 2020 Robert (Bob) Glassey, 74, passed away at home on February 15th, 2020, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. His wife and children were with him. He was born on January 12th, 1946, in Long Branch, New Jersey, to Mary (Pearsall) and Thomas Glassey. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1968 and received his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Brown University in 1972. Bob joined the Math Department at Indiana University in 1972. For the next 37 years, he was a mainstay of the group in partial differential equations (PDE), rising quickly to the ranks of associate and full professor. He served as graduate director, managing editor of the Indiana University Math Journal and chaired the Department in the mid 1990s. Always self-effacing with his colleagues, Bob was nonetheless a giant in the world of PDE. His landmark 1977 paper showed that solutions to one of the most important PDE’s, the nonlinear Schrödinger equations, could ‘blow up,’ becoming infinite in a finite amount of time. This study stands to this day as a prototype for this kind of result in the field. To those who worked with him or studied under him, he was tough, clear, doggedly determined, but also warm, utterly unpretentious, and unfailingly kind. Bob is survived by his wife of 36 years, Betsy (Hicks) Glassey; his son, Tom Glassey, of Huizhou, China; and his daughter, Molly Glassey, of Bloomington, Indiana. Among Bob’s most passionate pleasures were imparting his love of music to his children. He took great pride in their musical achievements and could often be found playing with them in chamber ensembles. Bob never met a dog he didn’t love, and he thoroughly enjoyed his retirement by reading, riding his bicycle, and spending time with his family. He was a beloved husband, father, friend, and colleague, and he graced us all with his intelligence, wit, and humor. He will be sorely missed. As per Bob’s wishes, no service is planned. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, photos, and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com

Tributes

Robert Thomas Glassey

January 12, 1946 - February 15, 2020