Roger Alperin

Roger AlperinProfessor Emeritus
roger.alperin@sjsu.edu

Research Areas

  • Algebra
  • Number Theory
  • Geometry

In Memoriam

Roger Charles Alperin, a career mathematician, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2019 at his home in Carlsbad, California. He was 72.

Roger received a PhD in mathematics from Rice University in 1973. He went on to assistant professorships at Brown University (1973-1976), Haverford University (1976-1977), Washington University (1977-1978), and the University of Oklahoma (1978-1987), where he eventually became a full professor. He later took a full professorship at San Jose State University from 1987 to 2014, where he served  as chairman from 2002 to 2004 and ultimately became Emeritus in 2015.

Roger leaves a substantial mathematical legacy.  He published and presented extensively in the fields of group theory, algebra and number theory, and geometry and mathematical origami. He had a special  passion for origami and devoted  twenty years to developing foundational elements of the mathematical theory of origami constructions, folds, and numbers. Roger continued publishing and presenting in retirement and continued to work on math projects until his passing. In September of 2018, he presented three papers at the 7th International Meeting on Origami in Science, Mathematics and Education.

Roger will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, warm smile and commitment to family. His other interests included travelling, hiking, and beachcombing, especially for sea glass and seashells.

Roger was born on January 8, 1947 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His late parents were Gladys (nee Swartz) and Melvin Alperin.  His survivors include his beloved wife Gaye Lending Alperin; his sons from his first marriage, Howard (wife: Patricia) Alperin and Joshua (wife: Pilar) Alperin; and his granddaughter Alicea Alperin. He will be remembered as a loving stepfather to Marissa Holloway and Kara Solomon and an adoring grandfather to their children, Zoe Hormell, and Sophia and Mollie Solomon.

Publications

Group Theory

Algebra and Number Theory

Geometry and Mathematical Origami