Robert Hogg

ROBERT VINCENT HOGG

Iowa City

Robert V. "Bob" Hogg, 90, of Highlands Ranch, Colo., died Dec. 23, 2014, after a short illness.

Bob was born Nov. 8, 1924, to Robert and Isabelle Hogg in Hannibal, Mo. After moving to Illinois with his family, he graduated from West Rockford High School. Bob served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. He graduated with a B.A. degree from the University of Illinois in 1947. Bob earned M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics from the University of Iowa in 1948 and 1950, respectively, joining the Iowa mathematics faculty after receiving his doctorate.

In 1965, Bob helped form the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, and he remained as its chair through 1983. Bob retired in 2001 after more than 50 years on the Iowa faculty. As professor emeritus, he continued to influence the department and the field of statistics.

Bob served and was recognized by the two major statistical organizations, the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS) and the American Statistical Association (ASA). His important contributions to statistical research were acknowledged by his election to fellowship of both societies. He was a program secretary for IMS from 1969 to 1974 and received the IMS Carver Medal in 2006. ASA recognized him with its Founders Award in 1991 and its Noether Senior Scholar Award in 2001. One of his greatest honors was serving in 1988 as president of ASA, an organization of about 18,000 statisticians.

Bob co-authored a number of textbooks. He reached his largest audience with Introduction to Mathematical Statistics, written with Allen Craig, which was first published in 1959 and is currently in its seventh edition.

"Known for his gift of humor and his passion for teaching, Hogg has had a far-reaching influence in the field of statistics," the IMS Bulletin noted when he received the IMS Carver Medal. "By 1970, virtually every department of statistics in North America would know exactly what you were talking about (and would answer 'yes') if you asked if they taught a 'Hogg and Craig level course.'"

Bob's teaching also was recognized with many awards, including the Mathematical Association of America Award for Distinguished Teaching, the Governor's Science Medal for Teaching and the University of Iowa's Collegiate Teaching Award. He received a University of Iowa Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003.

Bob served on many university committees, including a nine-year term on the Board in Control of Athletics. He was active in Iowa City Noon Rotary Club, serving as its president in 1984-85. He was a loyal member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City and was on the vestry three different times, once as senior warden.

While he was extremely proud of his professional accomplishments, Bob's family always came first. He was married to Carolyn Ladd Hogg from 1956 until her death in 1990, and with her had four children. He married Ann Hogg in 1994.

After Bob's retirement, he and Ann moved to the beautiful Arkansas River Valley in Colorado. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Buena Vista, Colo., and served on the vestry there. He and Ann moved to Highlands Ranch in 2010.

In addition to Ann, he is survived by his sister, Ginger Stanton (wife of Richard Stanton) of Annapolis, Md.; his children, Mary Hogg of Moline, Ill., Barbara Hogg Chrabaszcz (wife of Edward Chrabaszcz) of Kenilworth, Ill., Allen Hogg (husband of Sabina Lin) of Downers Grove, Ill., and Rob Hogg (husband of Kate Hogg) of Cedar Rapids; and eight grandchildren, Mason, Jacob and Carlyn Chrabaszcz; Jonathan and Dylan Hogg; and Robert, Dorothy and Isabel Hogg.

A memorial service was held in Highlands Ranch on Jan. 3. Another memorial is being planned for Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 24. A reception at the church will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the University of Iowa Foundation to support the Robert V. Hogg Professorship in Statistics and Actuarial Science, which was established in 2010. The University of Iowa Foundation is located at 1 W. Park Rd., Iowa City, IA 52242.