An inventive computational and applied mathematician, Todd was a longstanding member of the PSD community. He died on September 29 at the age of 84.
Todd earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Rice University, where he continued his graduate studies, earning his Ph.D. in mathematics in 1968. He then joined the University of Chicago as an instructor, becoming an assistant professor of mathematics in 1969 and rising to the rank of full professor in 1975. He also joined the Department of Computer Science as a professor in 1985. Todd served as the chair of computer science twice, from 1994 to 1997, and again from 2012 through 2016.
Todd’s research focused on numerical methods for solving partial differential equations, including important early work in the development and analysis of finite element methods. He collaborated with mathematicians, computer scientists, and physicists on problems involving fluid dynamics, the breakup of droplets, sonoluminescence, and the “coffee-ring effect.”
In 1969, Todd and Henry Rachford established Dupont-Rachford Engineering Mathematics, or DREM. The company developed computer models to simulate oil and natural gas flow through pipelines. Their work led to commercial tools for pipeline simulation, operator training, leak detection, and predicting pipeline behavior that were used in the industry for decades. Nearly fifty years later, Todd still contributed new ideas to improve the accuracy and efficiency of pipeline models used today.
Todd retired from the University in 2023. Read more about his life and career in his University obituary.
