From The Banner · Cayla Harris · · 1m 30s
Robert Lewand, Goucher Math Professor, Dies at 81
Goucher College math professor Robert 'Bob' Lewand, known for making math fun, dies at 81 from pancreatic cancer.
In brief
Goucher College math professor Robert 'Bob' Lewand, known for making math fun, dies at 81 from pancreatic cancer. Goucher College math professor Robert 'Bob' Lewand died at 81 from pancreatic cancer complications after a career dedicated to teaching math accessibly. Originally reported by The Banner.
Robert Lewand's teaching style
Robert 'Bob' Lewand made math fun for students using creative methods like drawing squares to prove pythagoras' theorem.
“Students watched carefully as robert "bob" lewand dragged a stick through the hot greek sand, connecting the lines of a square that would prove exactly why a 2 +b 2 =c 2”
Lewand's academic background
Lewand earned a math degree from the university of dayton and a master's in computer science from johns hopkins university.
“He majored in math at the university of dayton in ohio and minored in philosophy and physics”
Lewand's family life
Lewand married karen lewand, had two daughters, and was a devoted caregiver for his wife during illness.
“He was a devoted caregiver for his wife when she fell sick”
Lewand's teaching impact
Lewand designed classes on cryptology and history of time to make math accessible and interesting for students.
“He designed classes on cryptology and the history of time, and partnered with professors in other departments to make math more interesting and accessible”
Lewand's hobbies and interests
Lewand played pedal steel guitar, ran marathons, and enjoyed traveling with his partner patricia bereson.
“He picked up pedal steel guitar some thirty years ago and was always up for a jam session”
Lewand's legacy at goucher
Goucher created the robert e. lewand beauty of mathematics prize in his honor after his retirement.
“When robert lewand retired from goucher, the school created the robert e. lewand beauty of mathematics prize in his honor”
Lewand's death details
Lewand died on sept 29, 2026, at age 81 from pancreatic cancer complications.
“The parkville resident, also a computer science professor and adoring family man with hobbies ranging from pedal steel guitar to pickleball, died sept 29 of pancreatic cancer complications. he was eighty-one”
Lewand's family memories
Lewand took his children camping, beach trips, and hosted pretend radio shows with them.
“She and her sister have fond childhood memories of their father taking them to see john waters movies and bringing them camping and on beach trips”
Lewand's teaching philosophy
Lewand taught with patience, step-by-step explanations, and fun examples to keep students engaged.
“He put things up on the blackboard, moved step-by-step so everybody could stay right with him”
Lewand's final days
Lewand maintained his humor and lightheartedness until his death, teasing family members as he passed away.
“Even on his deathbed, his children said, he maintained the lightheartedness and sincerity they’d come to know well”
What to remember
Goucher College math professor Robert 'Bob' Lewand died at 81 from pancreatic cancer complications after a career dedicated to teaching math accessibly.
