Former Fairleigh Dickinson Math Professor Passes

Richard G. Segers, 84, of Mendham, passed away peacefully on April 30 at home with his family after a short illness.   

Segers was born in Cincinnati, OH on July 4, 1928 and grew up in Hamilton, OH with his parents Carl and Alma Segers, and his brother Tom and sister Betty.  Richard received his Ph.D in mathematics from Purdue University after earning his undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of Dayton.

Segers  taught mathematics for over 25 years at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Florham Park, and was a visiting professor of mathematics at the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business in 1969-1970.   Segers was also a senior mathematician at Exxon’s research facility in Florham Park for many years, after earlier roles at Bell Labs and Vitro Corporation.

Among his professional contributions were technical papers presented at NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) in the 1970s, as well as work with the American Petroleum Institute.   On a civic level, he served on the school board in Mendham, NJ.

Segers is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Elizabeth (Harrison), of Mendham and his four children:  Richard Carl (and wife Judy) of Flemington, Beth of Brookline, MA; Alix DeRosa (Segers) and husband Joseph of Ashburn, VA, and Stephanie of Queens, NY.   In addition, he was especially devoted to his grandchildren, Natalie and Charlie Segers of Flemington, and Anne Marie and Katharine DeRosa of Ashburn, VA.   He also has nieces and nephews in Texas and OH.

Segers passions beyond spending time with his family were chess, golf, a good card game, and listening to music performed by his children and grandchildren.   He also was very fond of the Cincinnati Reds, his childhood baseball team.  

Segers was a member of the American Mathematics Society, the New Jersey Mathematics Society, the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics and Sigam Xi, the national science honorary society.

Arrangements by Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Road, Mendham, NJ.