James Huckaba remembered

Math professor memorialized with a scholarship in his name

Whether he was in a math classroom or at home, Jim Huckaba touched people. After Huckaba's death in March, Glen Himmelberg, chair of the Department of Mathematics, received a heartwarming letter from four of Huckaba's grand nieces and nephews along with a $40 check for the memorial scholarship fund in his name.

The children, whose ages range from five to 10 years, recalled their memories of playing games and hearing stories about fishing from their Uncle Jim.

The letter read "Uncle Jim knew we all loved him very much. This may not be a lot of money, but it will help to keep Uncle Jim's memory alive for other students to learn and be like Uncle Jim."

Huckaba began his career in 1967 at the University of Missouri as a researcher and algebraist in the math department. During his tenure there, he mentored six doctoral students and taught and developed many undergraduate and graduate math classes. He retired from the university in 2000. Ian Aberbach, professor in the math department, credits Huckaba for creating a strong algebra group at MU and says that Huckaba and his wife Beverly were a "vital and vibrant part of the social life in the department, both for faculty and for graduate students."

"Whenever I needed guidance, whether it was for university business, or for a personal issue, I could always trust Jim's counsel," says Aberbach. "I miss him tremendously."

Huckaba and his wife of 53 years have a daughter and two sons, 14 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Laura Lindsey
Arts & Science Dean's Office

Link

Department of Mathematics