James Alan Murdock (1945-2017)

MURDOCK, BORNHOUSER, FORBES, SCOTT, PYLE

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:11

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

James Alan Murdock of Ames, Iowa died at home on August 22 of pancreatic cancer. A memorial service will be held at 3 PM on September 10 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ames.

Jim was born to James Ingram and Elizabeth LaVon (Bornhouser) Murdock on February 8, 1945 in Los Angeles and lived in Glendale, California for his first 17 years. He attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island (1962-1966) and New York University (Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, 1966-70), earning an Sc.B (bachelor of science) degree in Applied Mathematics (1966) and a Ph.D. in Mathematics (1970). He taught in the mathematics departments at City College of New York (1970-1976) and Iowa State University (1976-2010).

He married Peggy Forbes in 1971. They lived in New Rochelle, N.Y. until 1976 when they moved to Ames. They had 2 children, Alan and Theodore. They divorced in 1985.

He married Catherine Mary Scott, of Ames, Iowa, in 1990, gaining three step-children, Matthew, Joseph and Laurel Scott.

He is the author of two advanced mathematical books, co-author of a third and author or co-author of approximately 50 research papers, encyclopedia articles, and book reviews. His hobbies included bird watching, hiking, folk dancing, conservation volunteering and advocacy, and philosophy of science and religion.

He is survived by his wife Catherine; his brother, Richard Alan Murdock and his family of Valley Center, California, a cousin, Ernie Pyle; and by his children and step-children.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Nature Conservancy of Iowa or the St. John’s Episcopal Church Endowment Fund.

Online condolences may be left at adamssoderstrum.com

Memorial Service
Sunday 10 Sep 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
St. John's Episcopal Church
2338 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014

http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
 

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