Amherst College mourns the passing of Lyle A. McGeoch, the Brian E. Boyle '69 Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science and chair of the Department of Computer Science, on Oct. 5, 2019.

On Oct. 6, President Biddy Martin and Provost and Dean of the Faculty Catherine Epstein sent the following email to the campus community:

Dear Fellow Members of the Amherst Community,

It is with the greatest sorrow that we write to tell you of the passing of beloved Professor Lyle McGeoch, who died suddenly and unexpectedly at home yesterday of a heart attack. We wish we had a more personal way of sharing the news of this loss, which will be so deeply felt and personal for so many of us.  

We have spoken with Cathy McGeoch, Lyle’s wife and our colleague and friend, and have expressed our sympathies and tremendous sadness, on behalf of the entire Amherst community. Lyle was an extraordinary scholar, teacher, and mentor; the most generous of college citizens; and a kind, modest, and gentle man. As a class dean [most recently for the class of 2017], he earned a reputation for the care and compassion that he brought to his work with students, including the lengths to which he went to help those who struggled the most. He was also a cherished husband, father, and grandfather, who treasured his immediate and extended family—including the Amherst community, of which he was such an integral and admired member for more than thirty years.  

We will talk with Lyle’s colleagues, friends, and family about the most meaningful ways to celebrate his life and memory in the days and weeks ahead. In the meantime, we encourage you to let us know how we can be most helpful to you, as we mourn. We hope you will take comfort in one another during this very difficult time. The college will make support available, and we urge you to take advantage of it. [...]

It is impossible to convey in words how dearly and deeply Lyle will be missed.

Biddy and Catherine

The funeral service took place on Oct. 12 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Hadley. An on-campus celebration of Professor McGeoch's life will be held in Johnson Chapel at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, followed by a reception in Lewis-Sebring Dining Commons.

Please see this obituary for more information. 

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