James Wendel
James Gutwillig Wendel, emeritus professor of mathematics, died Jan. 16 in Portland, Ore., of complications from cancer. He was 83.
Wendel was born April 18, 1922, in Portland, where he lived until graduating from Reed College in 1943. His collegiate years were interrupted by World War II, during which he contributed work on defense-related projects, including a stint in the laboratory of two-time Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling—one of the leading chemists of the 20th century.
Following completion of his doctorate in mathematics at California Technical University in 1948, Wendel had academic appointments at Yale and Louisiana State universities prior to moving to Ann Arbor in 1955 to join the U-M faculty. He was named professor in 1961 and retired in 1987.
Wendel served as associate chair of the Department of Mathematics for 11 years. He also was a member of the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs and its vice-chairman in 1966-67.
A researcher in the area of probability, he was a popular lecturer who received many invitations from abroad, and was a visiting professor in Denmark, England, Australia and Israel. Following his retirement, Wendel moved to Palo Alto, Calif., where he stayed until 2000, when he returned to Portland.
Wendel was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas, and his wife of 56 years, June (Herzog), who died in 2000. He is survived by his sister, Susan Black of Lake Oswego, Ore.; six children, Nancy Temple of Davis, Calif.; Robert Wendel of Sacramento, Calif.; Peter Wendel of Portland; Jonathan Wendel of Ames, Iowa; Margaret Rubinstein of Carlsbad, Calif.; Laura Duregon of Portland; and 12 grandchildren.
Donations to honor Wendel may be sent to Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR, 97202-8199.
—Submitted by the Wendel family
Emma Hedeman
Emma Ruth Hedeman, a retired astronomer who served at the McMath-Hulbert Solar Observatory, died Jan. 25 of heart disease at her home in Annapolis, Md. She was 95.
Born Nov. 25, 1910, and raised in Baltimore, Hedeman attended Eastern High School. She graduated from Goucher College in 1931, received a master of arts in mathematics from Duke University in 1936, and earned a master of science in astronomy from U-M in 1948.
Hedeman began her career as a math teacher at Eastern High School in Baltimore. A World War II veteran, she served from 1942-45 with the WAVES-USNR. A Lt. (S.G.) meteorologist, she was stationed at Mt. Hood aerological research facility in Seattle.
Following the war, Hedeman moved to Ann Arbor to pursue advanced studies in astronomy. After receiving her second master’s degree from U-M, she embarked on a long career as a solar astronomer at the McMath-Hulbert Observatory. Along with colleague,Helen Dodson, Hedeman co-authored a number of papers considered important in the field of solar research.
Among her many publications are: “Time Variations in Solar Activity”; “Experimental Comprehensive Flare Indices for Certain Flares, 1970-1974”; and “Some Comments on Flares after Many Years of Observation.”
Throughout her life, Hedeman traveled extensively for business and pleasure. She attended conferences and gave talks at astronomy meetings, and in 1972 fulfilled her dream of completing an around-the-world journey.
A strong supporter of higher education for women, Hedeman always pushed her nieces, in particular, to excel and was active as an alumna of Goucher.
Hedeman is survived by her brother, Dr. John L. Hedeman of Annapolis; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Emma Elizabeth (Koppelman) Hedeman, and father, Walter Rider Hedeman, both of Baltimore; and brothers Norman Hedeman of Baltimore and Walter Hedeman of Annapolis.
In lieu of flowers, scholarship contributions may be made to Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Baltimore, MD, 21204.
—Submitted by Jody Hedeman Couser
