Professor Emeritus Gunderson, 82, dies

Gunderson

A native of Schenectady, Gunderson earned his bachelor's degree from the New York State College for Teachers at Albany in 1937. He earned his master's and doctoral degrees in mathematics from Cornell University, the latter in 1948.

Gunderson joined the math department in 1946, gained a joint appointment as associate professor in mathematics and in the College of Education in 1961, and became a full professor in 1966. He retired from the University in 1980 as professor emeritus of mathematics and education.

Known for his gift for preparing students to teach, Gunderson conducted several summer programs for high school teachers. He also worked as a consultant to a number of school districts.

"Norman Gunderson was noted for his teaching of undergraduates, and especially his coordination, within the department, of the more elementary courses in calculus and its prerequisites," said mathematics Professor Emeritus Ralph Raimi. But Gunderson found his niche with his joint appointment to the College of Education, where he supervised the practice-teaching in local schools of math majors working to qualify as high school teachers. "In this he will forever be remembered by those who profited by his coaching," Raimi added.

Gunderson was a past president of the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State. He also was secretary and treasurer of the Upper New York State Section of the Mathematics Association of America from 1950 to 1967.

Gunderson is survived by his wife, Shirley, of Brighton; daughters Sherry Imswiler of Penfield, Wendy Warren of Buffalo, and Karen Wortman of Charlottesville, Va.; and four grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to any of the following: Genesee Baptist Church, 149 Brooks Ave., Rochester, N.Y. 14619; Parkinson's Research, Strong Memorial Hospital, 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester, N.Y. 14642; or the Seaway Section of the Mathematical Association of America, c/o Edwin Hoefer, Department of Math and Statistics, RIT, 85 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, N.Y. 14623.

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