# 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.
- Title: Robert Lewand, Goucher Math Professor, Dies at 81 · The Banner
- Summary: Goucher College math professor Robert 'Bob' Lewand, known for making math fun, dies at 81 from pancreatic cancer.
- Keywords: robert lewand, goucher college, math professor, pancreatic cancer, seattle, nfl, news, local, Robert, Lewand, Goucher, Math
- Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/obituaries/robert-bob-lewand-goucher-college-math-obituary-QIKYZTQAXZDYBEN5AGUWAKJGCY
- Author: Cayla Harris
- Published: 2026-10-10T09:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: robert lewand, goucher college, math professor, pancreatic cancer, 81, seattle, nfl, news, local
## 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
## Key takeaway

Goucher College math professor Robert 'Bob' Lewand died at 81 from pancreatic cancer complications after a career dedicated to teaching math accessibly.