About Robert V. Kohn

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Robert (Bob) Vita Kohn passed away on January 12, 2026 at the age of 73. Bob was born on October 5, 1953, in Shaker Heights, Ohio. His love for mathematics developed early on as a camper, and then a counselor, at an Ohio State University-sponsored math camp. After earning his undergraduate degree in mathematics at Harvard University in 1974, he completed his Ph.D. at Princeton University in 1979, under the guidance of the geometric measure theorist Fred Almgren. A specialist of calculus of variations and the analysis of partial differential equations, Bob worked on problems coming from physics and materials science as well as mathematical finance. After achieving a landmark result on singularities in fluid dynamics early in his career, Bob emerged as a pioneering figure in what is now known as the field of mathematical materials science. Themes of homogenization, relaxation, Gamma convergence, and scaling laws are echoed throughout his work on composite materials, phase transforming materials, micromagnetics, cloaking, plasticity, thin elastic sheets, and mechanical metamaterials.

Bob spent his whole academic career at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, first as a two-year National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow and then as a part of the faculty; he ultimately became a Silver Professor of Mathematics. Bob retired in 2022. Bob worked tirelessly for the Courant Institute, serving as deputy director for many years and as chair of mathematics. Throughout his career, he supervised 36 Ph.D. students and a vast number of postdocs; moreover, his support extended to the community at Courant and beyond, through innumerable letters of recommendation and his service on many committees. He played a central role in conceiving and leading the master’s in mathematical finance program at the Courant Institute and in curriculum development for both the master’s and undergraduate program. He was beloved by students at NYU for the quality of his lectures and for the caring personal attention he gave them. He was one of few mathematicians to receive the NYU Distinguished Teaching Award.

Bob was an outstanding mathematician whose work, dedication, and support directly impacted countless members of our community. His profound legacy lies in the depth and originality of his scientific vision, his gift for bringing together ideas and people across disciplines, his extraordinary support for students and colleagues, and his untiring service to the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. We will pay tribute to his contributions to mathematics, science, and Courant on October 9, 2026.