Obituary of Claude Wesley Burrill

Claude Wesley Burrill passed away peacefully on October 20th, at his home in Coralville, Iowa. Claude was born on February 19, 1925 in Akron Iowa, son of Lowell L. and Olivia A. (Scheckel) Burrill. He graduated from Akron High School in 1943 and entered Iowa State University at the age of 17 as Engineering major. When he turned 18, he was drafted, originally with an appointment to West Point which was later rescinded following the eye exam. After his three years in the army, Claude enrolled at the University of Iowa where he earned his BA, MS, and PhD in Mathematics; as a graduate student, he also taught as an Instructor at the University. After receiving his PhD in 1952, Claude was awarded a Fulbright scholarship for post-graduate studies at Manchester University in England where he met his first wife Kathleen, with whom he raised two daughters and later divorced. Upon returning to the US in 1953, Claude settled in the New York City area (first Bronx and then Tenafly N.J.). He taught for many years at New York University including its Bell Laboratories, and at the IBM Systems Research Institute, one of the world's first centers for computer education. He also held visiting faculty appointments at Columbia University, Dartmouth College, and the National University of Singapore. He lectured and consulted throughout the United States, several countries of the E.U., Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Japan, India, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Turkey on topics including management, computer modeling, decision support, project management, pure mathematics and statistics. He authored eight books on a variety of topics, including mathematics, probability, computer modeling, project management, and quality. For five years, Claude also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of William Paterson College in New Jersey, and for one year as Acting President of the same institution which subsequently awarded him a Doctorate of Humane Letters for his years of service. In 1991, Claude moved to Iowa City with his wife Tina. While in Iowa City, Claude co-authored two books on total quality management and statistical process control, and taught courses for the College of Business of the University of Iowa. Claude was a gifted mathematician, with interests in real analysis, measures, integration and probability. He also had a wonderful talent that allowed him to apply his mathematical expertise to find solutions to important applied problems in areas such as project management and process improvement. Although suffering from a neuro-degenerative disorder in his final years, Claude continued to enjoy travel and hiking, and most importantly the company of family, friends and his dog Penny. Claude was preceded in death by his first wife Kathleen Griffin-Burrill and his sister Maybelle Moore. He is survived by his wife Tina, his three children Anne, Jane and Thomas, his sons-in-law Alberto and Bart, and by his grandchildren Paloma, Roberto, Aygul and Patricio. Claude's remains were buried in the Akron Riverside cemetery on October 22nd. Memorial donations may be sent to the Preucil School of Music, 524 N. Johnson Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52245, USA. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is assisting Claude’s family. Online condolences may be sent for Claude’s family through the web @ www.gayandciha.