Emeritus Alphonse Baartmans

As an immigrant, Al had to work hard at school and various jobs, while learning English. He had a kind heart and gentle way with people that made those around him feel welcome. His zest for life included both work and play. He enjoyed sports such as tennis, racquetball, and petanque and played with a competitive spirit. He attended all of his children’s sports games and was well known to be the loudest fan in the stands. Al’s favorite spectator sport was soccer – he was a loyal Arsenal fan. Most of all, Al cherished his time with his friends, family and his grandchildren. Because of his generous nature and contagious enthusiasm, he was loved by all and motivated family, friends, students, and colleagues to reach for their dreams.

In 1954, Al’s family immigrated from Holland to the United States to seek a better life. At 16 years of age, Al attended Upsala College and majored in Mathematics and Physics. At 20 years of age, he was admitted to a doctoral program at Michigan State University in Mathematics. His advisor, Dr. Joe Adney, guided his course selection with an emphasis in Group Theory culminating in a Ph. D. four years later. During his career in academia, Al had a very productive research record and published more than 30 articles advancing fields such as Group Theory, Combinatorics, and Discrete Mathematics. He co-authored many of these articles with his best friend and colleague, Dr. Joe Yucas from Southern Illinois University.

When 21 years old, Al married his first wife, Georgianne Hogaboam, whom he had met at a church dance in Lansing. They were married 30 years. The couple had three boys (David, George, and Sean), who were the pride and joy of Al’s life. After the completion of Al’s doctoral degree at Michigan State University, the family lived in several places, including Carbondale, Illinois, Rochester Hills, Michigan, Morgantown, West Virginia, and Hancock, Michigan. Al’s work ethic, love of mathematics, and charismatic personality made him particularly gifted in serving as the chair of mathematics departments. He was frequently recruited for this position at a variety of universities (e.g., Southern Illinois University, University of West Virginia, and Michigan Technological University).

On March 2, 1995, Al married Beverly (Beyreuther-Gimmestad) whom he had met while working at Michigan Technological University. The couple loved to travel and enjoyed a round-the-world sabbatical including stays in Holland, Germany, Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia. Al was much adored by his new stepdaughters, Maryann Huey and Katherine Donaldson and their families. Al and Bev enjoyed hosting family and friends at their lodge on Lake Gerald in Twin Lakes, Michigan as well as at their home in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Al is survived by his wife Beverly Baartmans, sister Vickie (Rene) Aubourg, San Luis Obispo, CA, sons Dave (Carrie) Baartmans, Charlotte, NC, George (Laura) Baartmans, Chicago, IL, Sean (Sharon) Baartmans, Portland, OR, stepdaughters, Maryann (Brian) Huey, Katherine (Eric) Donaldson, grandchildren, Hannah, Jackson, Graham, Ryan, Kirsten, Noah, Raymond, Patrick, Matthew, stepgrandchildren Elise, Bryce, Alex and Jacob, and great-grandchildren Quinn and Parker.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a scholarship at https://give.mtu.edu with the designation of “Michigan Tech Fund, for a scholarship being established in memory of Dr. Alphonse Baartmans.” The scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing graduate studies in mathematics at Michigan Technological University. A memorial will be held at Barrington White House Ballroom,145 West Main Street, Barrington, Illinois on August 25, 2024 with an open house from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a memorial service from 11 a.m. to noon. All friends and family are welcomed, and we encourage people to wear something orange in honor of Al’s love of his Dutch heritage and favorite soccer team. Burial of Alphonse’s ashes will be at the Lakeview Cemetery in Aitkin, Minnesota in the fall as well as a reception for friends and faculty in the Houghton area.