Bob Shumway

In Memoriam: Robert Shumway

  • by Peter Scully

With great sadness the Department of Statistics announces the passing of Professor Emeritus Robert H. Shumway, who passed away on Tuesday, May 13. Professor Shumway, affectionately known as Bob, was one of the first faculty members of our Department, joining in 1980 from George Washington University. He received his Ph.D. under the supervision of Professor Solomon Kullback from George Washington University in 1965. Bob was a leading researcher in time series who did pioneering work on state space modeling, the EM algorithm and missing data, among others. His influential work on distinguishing between earthquakes and nuclear explosions, supported by the US Air Force, had significant impact on shaping public policy. He retired in 2006 The Department instituted the Shumway Lectures in his honor in 2009.

Professor Shumway is survived by his wife Ruth, son Rob and daughter Marisa, and four grandchildren.