MURRAY SEYMOUR KLAMKIN - Matematika

144 Andy Liusabbatical replacement. Murray came over to interview me for a new position,pushed my appointment through the Hiring Committee and brought me back in1980.Murray had been the Deputy Leader for the USA National Team in the IMOsince 1975. In 1981, USA became the host of the event, held outside Europe forthe first time. Sam Greitzer, the usual Leader, became the chief organizer. Murraytook over as the Leader, and secured my appointment as his Deputy Leader.I stayed in that position for four year, and in 1982, made my first trip toEurope because the IMO was in Budapest. This was followed by IMO 1983 inParis, and IMO 1984 in Prague. I was overawed by the international assembly, butfound that they in turn were overawed by Murray’s presence. He was arguably themost well-known mathematics problem-solver in the whole world.We both retired from the IMO after 1984, even though I would later return toit. His term as Chair also expired in 1981. Thus our relationship became collegialand personal. He and his wife Irene had no children, but they were very fond ofcompany. I found myself a guest at their place at regular interval, and they visitedmy humble abode a few times.It was during this period that I saw a different side of Murray. Before, Ifound him very businesslike, his immense talent shining through his incisive insightand clinical efficiency. Now I found him a warm person with many diverse interest,including classical music, ballroom dancing, adventure novels, kung-fu movies andsports, in particular basketball.Although Murray had been highly successful in everything he attempted, hewill probably be remembered the most for his involvement in mathematics problemsolvingand competitions. He had authored or edited four problem books, and hadleft his mark in every major journal which had a problem section. He had receivedan Honorary Doctorate from the University of Waterloo and was a Fellow of theRoyal Society of Belgium. He had won numerous prizes, and had some named afterhim.Murray had enjoyed remarkably good health during his long life. It began todeteriorate in September 2000 when he underwent a by-pass operation. After hisrelease from the hospital, he continued to exert himself, walking up to his office onthe sixth floor, and skating in the West Edmonton Mall.His heart valve gave in November, fortunately while he was already in thehospital for physiotherapy. He was in coma for some time. One day, when I visitedhim, he was bleeding profusely from his aorta. The doctor indicated to me that hedid not expect Murray to last through the day.Somehow, the inner strength of Murray came through, and on my next visit,he was fully conscious. He told me to make arrangement for his eightieth birthdayparty, stating simply that he would be out of the hospital by that time. It was agood thing that I took his words seriously, for he was out of the hospital by thattime, ready to celebrate.