Computer Science Department Remembers Felix Haas

11-14-2013

Writer(s): Jesica Hollinger

A public memorial service honoring the late Felix Haas, Purdue provost and professor emeritus will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Thomas Duncan Hall, 619 Ferry St.  

Haas joined the University in 1961 and served Purdue for more than 40 years as a professor, head of the Division of Mathematical Sciences, the first dean of the School of Science and later as provost.

Among Haas' many contributions was the formation of the Department of Computer Science in 1962. In addition to the Department of Computer Science, Haas was involved with the establishment of the Department of Statistics and what is now known as the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. Purdue dedicated Felix Haas Hall, the Computer Science Building, in recognition of Haas in 2006.

"In the early sixties, Felix Haas recognized that computer science would be an academic discipline of its own.  He hired Sam Conte to implement that vision by creating the nation’s first computer science department at Purdue in 1962," said Tim Korb Assistant Head.

Haas died this past July at the age of 92.