Amos Carpenter, Ph. D.

Amos Carpenter, Ph. D.
(March 12, 1939 – October 30, 2012)

Born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, and educated at Durham University and the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, and at Kent State University in the United States, Amos Carpenter joined the Math Department at Butler University in 1984, serving 29 years as a Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics and Actuarial Science, and as the Department Head from 1992-2000 and from 2007-2011.

Dr. Carpenter’s academic focus was numerical analysis, approximation theory, and the theory of computation, parallel, and scientific computing. “He always had a great, big smile with a twinkle in his eye,” said a colleague. “He was kind and upbeat. He went on to influence others by that.” He was also remembered as a man of knowledge and humility, and who was extremely organized.

Carpenter received several awards both at the university and the state level, including the 2008 Distinguished Service Award from the Indiana Section of the Mathematical Association of America.

He belonged to many professional organizations and published both papers and books on which he lectured internationally. But his real focus was on his students. “He would stay with his students after class for two hours if he had to. If the student needed another hour, he would stay another hour. It was a part of his giving.” Dr. Carpenter now rests on the eastern slope of Crown Hill.

View Dr. Carpenter’s scientific contributions here.

Location: Section 30, Lot 6; GPS (39.8200715, -86.1768091)