Robert E. Greenwood (1911-1993) was a mathematics instructor at the University of Texas at Austin for 43 years and worked in the areas of combinatorial analysis, numerical analysis, probability, and computation. Greenwood was born in Navasota, TX and graduated as valedictorian of his high school class. He earned his B.A. in physics from the University of Texas at Austin in 1933 and both his M.A. (1938) and Ph.D. (1939) from Princeton University. After completing his degrees, Greenwood returned to Austin and began a 55-year involvement with the Department of Mathematics at the University of Texas. Greenwood also served in the Navy for six years during World War II and maintained status as a reserve for many years.
Dr. Greenwood was a member of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), American Mathematical Society (AMS), the Canadian Mathematical Congress, and other professional organizations. Greenwood also held memberships in two honorary societies: Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi. He had biographical listings in the American Men of Science and Who's Who in America. In 1981, Greenwood was awarded a Certificate for Meritorious Service to the Mathematical Association of America for his years of leadership and service to the mathematical community. He served on numerous committees for the MAA, AMS, and University of Texas at Austin including the William Lowell Putnam Competition Committee, the Graduate Studies Committee, the Archives Committee, the Committee on Computing Center Development and many more. Greenwood received many teaching awards and honors throughout his years at the University of Texas, including the CACTUS Teaching Award (1971), Honorable Mention AMOCO Teaching Award (1975) and the President’s Teaching Excellence Award (1980).
Dr. Greenwood’s hobbies and leisurely pursuits were diverse. He was interested in magic and was well known in the Austin area for his Math-a-Magic shows. Greenwood was also known for his interest in coin collecting and was appointed by President Johnson in 1968 as a member of the Annual Assay Committee of the U. S. Mint. Greenwood’s other interests included genealogy, mystery writing, his cap collection, illusions and much more. Greenwood was active in the University United Methodist Church for 63 years.
Dr. Greenwood's Memorial Resolution can be found online at http://www.utexas.edu/faculty/council/1998-1999/memorials/Greenwood/greenwood.html .
From the guide to the Robert E. Greenwood Papers, 1881-1999, (Archives of American Mathematics, Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)
