Life Sciences Building, Room 206
501 S. Nedderman Drive
Box 19047
Arlington, TX 76019
In Memoriam: Larry Heath, longtime professor of mathematics
Beloved teacher, researcher, mentor was a department pillar for almost 50 years
Larry F. Heath, a professor emeritus in mathematics whose career at The University of Texas at Arlington spanned almost 50 years, passed away on August 26 at the age of 87.
Dr. Heath came to UTA in 1965, the same year the College of Science was formally organized and the same year UTA became part of the UT System. He served as associate chair of the Department of Mathematics from 1987-2000.
“Dr. Larry Heath was a beloved professor at UTA and was instrumental in many curricular and instructional developments in the Mathematics Department,” said Jianzhong Su, professor and chair of the UTA Department of Mathematics. “He loved teaching and impacted the career pathways of thousands of students in their UTA studies, and he mentored young faculty in their professional development. His long-term dedication and service to the University and Mathematics Department will be remembered.”
Dr. Heath was born April 18, 1938, in Independence, Kansas, to Floyd and Ruth Heath. He lived in Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas while growing up due to his father’s job as a surveyor for Army Corps of Engineers.
He received a B.S. in chemistry from Washburn University of Topeka in 1960 with plans to go to medical school but realized he didn’t like the sight of blood—a decided disadvantage for a prospective doctor. He elected to change his focus to math and enrolled in graduate school at the University of Kansas. He earned an M.A. in mathematics in 1962 and worked for the Boeing Co. in Wichita as a cost research analyst while working on his doctoral degree.
While living in Topeka, he met Carolyn Marie Paul. The pair married on June 7, 1964, and shared 61 years of marriage. He earned his Ph.D. in Mathematics from KU in 1965 and, seeking a warmer climate and an escape from Kansas winters, accepted a faculty position at UTA.
Dr. Heath helped establish the mathematics department’s research profile and over the years his research interests included entire and meromorphic functions, analytic functions in a function algebra, computational geometry, and infinite dimensional complex analysis.
He served as director of UTA’s Center for Advancement of Science and Math Teaching from 1983-87, and he produced over 140 videotapes for use in instruction in courses involving analytic geometry, calculus, and differential equations.
For many years Dr. Heath received external funding for summer projects to support high school students in doing hands-on research involving math and computer graphics, which helped to prepare them for college and professional careers.
He embraced computer technology early and became so knowledgeable in computer systems and programming languages that while associate chair he also served as the department’s network manager and system administrator for all computers and printers.
Dr. Heath was a popular instructor and in 2008 was named Professor of the Year by the UTA student chapter of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). He was a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Mathematical Society, MAA, Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Sigma Xi Scientific Honor Society, Pi Mu Epsilon, and IEEE Computer Society.
He retired from his full-time position in 2011 and was named emeritus the following year. He continued teaching part-time until 2014.
Dr. Heath had a lifelong passion for aviation. He earned his pilot’s license while raising his young family and often flew them over their home or on trips to visit relatives in Kansas. He also flew himself and colleagues from UTA to attend mathematics conferences around the United States.
A longtime member of First Christian Church in Arlington, Dr. Heath served as a deacon and elder for almost 60 years. He was also president of the Kiwanis Club of Arlington and supported many of its community initiatives, including the annual Pancake Feast.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; four children: Susan Heath; Christine Tullos and her husband Keith; Brenda Agnew and her husband Doug; and Gregory Heath and his wife Lidia; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sister, Marilyn Miller.
A Celebration of Life was held on September 26 at First Christian Church in Arlington.
--
The UTA College of Science, a Carnegie R1 research institution, is preparing the next generation of leaders in science through innovative education and hands-on research and offers programs in Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Data Science, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Health Professions, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology. To support educational and research efforts visit the giving page, or if you're a prospective student interested in beginning your #MaverickScience journey visit our future students page.