In Memorium: John Chuchel
John Chuchel died May 19 after a long illness. He was 80.
Born in Winona, Minn., John moved to Sacramento in 1979. A theoretical mathematician, he was educated at St. Mary’s College in Winona, Minn., the University of Minnesota and Montana State University under the advisor Norman Henry Eggert, Jr.
He taught college-level math for 53 years, 35 at UC Davis. He was lauded by his students as a fantastic instructor. Students often praised Professor Chuchel’s clarity, his challenging but fair tests, and especially his use of colored chalk! Many said he was the best math teacher they have ever had, and was able to teach them topics they had trouble with before.
Numerical interests led him to studies of weather, volcanoes, mountains and careful tracking of over 275,000 miles during 55 years of cycling.
Remembrance contributions may be made online to the John Chuchel Memorial Fund, using the instructions at the right, or checks sent in the included envelope, following the instructions on the flap. The memo line should say “John Chuchel Memorial Fund.” Contributions will provide scholarships for UC Davis mathematics students, whom he loved and served.