Former Amos Eaton Professor George Handelman passed away September 13.
Handelman was recruited to Rensselaer in 1955, and spent more than half a century teaching, researching, and volunteering for RPI. He joined the Institute as a professor of applied mathematics. Over the course of his career he rose to become chairman of the mathematics department and later dean of the school of science.
A summa cum laude graduate of Harvard University’s Class of 1941, he also received his master’s degree from Harvard and a Ph.D. from Brown University in 1946. He was a noted mathematician, university professor and administrator. Handelman began his career as a research associate in applied mathematics at Brown University before moving to Carnegie-Mellon University in 1948.
In recognition of his influence on students, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute awarded him the William H. Wiley Distinguished Faculty Award and the David M. Darrin Counseling Award. Handelman made additional contributions to higher education and mathematical research as a member of numerous professional societies and state and national committees.
In addition, during his career at Rensselaer, he secured a Center of Excellence Award and an Einstein Professorship as a member of the Institute.
At RPI, he was instrumental in bringing the first computer to the campus, housed in the Amos Eaton Building. He was integral to the development of a strong computing program at Rensselaer. The legacy of that computer has resonated across campus through generations of students, ushering in other new technologies and programs and offering RPI students the most cutting-edge technology for that generation.
