SUBJECT:

Passing of Professor Emeritus Ted Frankel

It is with profound sadness that we confirm the passing of Theodore "Ted" Frankel, beloved colleague, educator and researcher at UC San Diego. Ted died peacefully at his home on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017 after sustaining injuries in an accident a few days earlier. His wife, Jonnie Frankel, and his children, Thomasin, Montgomery and David, as well as his grandchildren, were at his bedside during his final days. Frankel was 88.

Born June 17, 1929, Frankel received a Ph.D. in mathematics in 1955 from UC Berkeley, studying under the direction of Harley Flanders. He joined UC San Diego in 1965 after serving on the faculties at Stanford and Brown universities. He was instrumental in determining the direction of the UC San Diego mathematics curriculum and the growth of the Department of Mathematics. Frankel was considered an outstanding teacher, and he will be remembered for the generous help he gave to students and faculty members from all departments of the university.

Frankel's research interests were wide ranging. In differential and algebraic geometry he is best known for his 1959 paper published in the Annals of Mathematics, written with Aldo Andreotti, in which the Andreotti-Frankel theorem was first introduced. His research in physics and general relativity resulted in two monographs: "Gravitational Curvature" (W.H. Freeman) and "The Geometry of Physics" (Cambridge University Press). His research contributions were recognized in 2012 when he was elected fellow of the American Mathematical Society.

Frankel is survived by his wife Jonnie; three children, daughter Thomasin Frankel, and two sons, Montgomery and David Frankel; and five grandchildren, Jesse Karch, Alexa and Keenan Frankel, and Teo and Koa Frankel. Jonnie Frankel said her husband loved the ocean, the beaches and music, especially chamber music.

In lieu of sending flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Ted Frankel to the Conrad Prebys Music Center Excellence Fund. Donations will support chamber music in the Wednesdays@7 series. Please make checks payable to the UC San Diego Foundation, noting that the gift is in memory of Ted Frankel for fund F-3983. Please mail checks to UC San Diego Gift Processing, 9500 Gilman Drive, #0940, La Jolla, CA 92093-0940. Donations can also be made online at Give to UC San Diego.

Steven Boggs Dean Division of Physical Sciences Lei Ni Professor and Chair Department of Mathematics