Robert Tubbs
Associate Professor • Ph.D. Penn State, 1981
January 29 1954 • April 11 2023

Research Interests:

Number Theory

Research:

Number Theory, especially Transcendental Number Theory, the Intellectual History of Mathematical Ideas and Mathematics and the Humanities.

Select Publications:

  • "Mathematics in Twentieth-Century Literature and Art:  Content, Form, Meaning," The Johns Hopkins University Press, June  2014.
  • "Hilbert's Seventh Problem:  Solutions and extensions," (In Press) IMSc Lecture Notes, Chennai, India, 2014.
  • Well-approximated points on linear extensions of elliptic curves (with Deanna Caveny), Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society, vol 138, 2010, pages 2745-2754.
  • "What is a Number? Mathematical Concepts and Their Origins," The Johns Hopkins University Press, December 2008.
  • "Making Transcendence Transparent: An intuitive approach to classical transcendental number theory," (with Edward Burger), Springer, 2004.

Obituary:

Robert Earl Tubbs, lover of beaches and turtles, dogs and cats, bourbon and mountains, coffee shops and poetry, writing and films, music and mathematics, passed away on April 11, 2023 after a short illness. He was surrounded by family and friends.

Rob was an accomplished educator, an author of numerous mathematical papers and books, a mentor to several graduate students, and appreciated by countless students at all levels for his ability to share insight, make difficult material accessible and complex problem-solving amusing and fun. 

Rob was uniquely thoughtful, deeply emotional, and sharply intelligent, with a quick unfiltered wit, a little grumpiness, and a quirky sense of humor. Hence, an always interesting, very loyal, hilariously funny, and fine friend.

Rob, son to Marshall and Grace, brother to Mike and Steve, is remembered dearly by his former wife Vesa Tubbs, his daughter Natalia Gots, son-in-law Iurii Chizh, granddaughter Sophia, man’s best friend Sadie, and a long list of beloved friends, neighbors and colleagues.