Herbert Ruderfer

Herbert Ruderfer born July 8, 1920 in Brooklyn, NY, died on February 21, 2009 at Hospice in Branford, CT. Herb graduated Brooklyn College in 1941 and received his Masters in Mathematics in 1948 from the University of Wisconsin. He then pursued further graduate studies with mathematician Hans Rademacher at the University of Pennsylvania. After devising mathematical missile applications for the US Navy and other practical applications for private industry, Herb was a mathematician at IBM for 26 years. After his retirement he worked as a tutor at the Academic Support Center at Westchester Community College for 13 years. In that capacity he developed a passion to change the teaching of mathematics from an abstract to a practical discipline for students of all levels to attain success in their careers. In addition to numbers, Herb loved golf, horseracing, cooking, fine cuisine, and really good ice cream. He leaves two children Laurie Ruderfer and son-in-law Dr. Matthew Ellman, Howard Ruderfer, Doctor of Chiropractics, his beloved grandchildren, Isaac and Hannah, his brother Walter, sister-in-laws, Leah and Gloria Ruderfer and Rita Reuben, nieces, nephews, good friends of old and new and even an ex-wife, Marjorie.