We are deeply saddened to inform you that our colleague Richard Hamilton passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024.

Richard was a giant of mathematics who has inspired generations of geometers. His groundbreaking work on the Ricci flow has opened up a new field of geometric flows, making it possible to attack fundamental questions in geometry and topology that seemed intractable before. Richard’s work was recognized with many awards, including the Oswald Veblen Prize of the American Mathematical Society; the Clay Research Award; the Leroy P. Steele Prize; the Shaw Prize; and, most recently, the Basic Science Lifetime Award in Mathematics.

Richard has served Columbia for a quarter of a century. His topics course on Ricci flow was legendary. Richard loved mathematics and pursued his passion throughout his life.

Richard was a kind and generous human being, a deep thinker with an extraordinary sense of humor. He warmly welcomed everyone who shared his love of mathematics, freely sharing his own insights and ideas.

We will miss him dearly.

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