Comments on: Hank Krieger

By: Paul Kraght

Paul Kraght — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 01:52:30 +0000

I remember his class on measure theory. There were only 6 students. He told us 50% of the grade would be homework, 25% midterm, and 25% final. He spent the first half of each class helping us with the difficulties we had with the homework. The time for midterm came and went, and finally just before the end of the semester, he said a final was unnecessary — he knew how each student was doing from the homework. I appreciated his detailed knowledge of each student.

Many years later, I was the liaison for a clinic, and Prof. Krieger was the advisor. When we took a tour of the lab, I told him this was new for me — I don’t go in the lab, I might break something. He said, “a true mathematician!” It was very rewarding to work again with him, though in a different role.

Finally, I found out that he was my brother’s tennis coach at the then-named Claremont Men’s College.

By: Steve Kremm

Steve Kremm — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 03:54:14 +0000

Freshman year 1972 I was #3 singles on the tennis team and Hank was assistant coach so we kind of grew up on the tennis team together. It used to break my heart to show up late to his 8AM Probability Theory class (or worse fall asleep in class) but I was just a dumb kid. Only with his help did I miraculously get an “A” in that class. Hank was by far my closest relationship on the faculty and he was instrumental in helping me build my confidence at Mudd.

My big memory is the road trip to Kansas City for the national tennis tournament in the team van with Hank and the team (driving straight through). He put up with a lot on from us and we loved him for it. RIP Hank!

By: Nick Firoozye

Nick Firoozye — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 06:22:31 +0000

Not a single memory but a great year of memories. Prof Krieger was the instructor of my two-person (with another HMC student) one year, graduate-level class in Measure Theory during my Sr year. While other profs were my early inspiration to becoming a mathematician, Prof Krieger was the first prof who taught us truly rigorous proof. He was always prepared, always enthusiastic. Now as a part-time prof, I see that this enthusiasm doesn’t come easily and I hope we two students helped to fuel is own passion (at least in what would have been very basic for him). I still have the book and in spite of textbook churn would never consider parting with it.

He always had time and was an exceptional mentor. I would list Prof Krieger together with Profs Coleman and Busenberg as the truly academically nurturing profs I encountered in math at HMC and one of the main reasons I am a mathematician today. Really the loss of a great and inspiring professor.

By: Dana Seaton

Dana Seaton — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 03:26:25 +0000

Prof. Krieger was such a light in my time at Harvey Mudd. I don’t remember who introduced us initially because I was joining the tennis team, but he made sure to check in on me often while I was there and offered kind and helpful advice. He was always so warm and friendly in the halls, in class, in his office, and at our matches. Such a kind soul and such a generous presence. He will be missed!

By: Michael Smithson

Michael Smithson — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 23:19:49 +0000

Dr Krieger supervised my senior thesis project in 1972. He was a superb teacher and inspired me to continue my studies in probability and statistics even while I was completing a PhD in sociology. It is partly due to his influence that I became a decision scientist and continued research in statistics throughout my academic career.

By: Doug Hathaway '80

Doug Hathaway '80 — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 22:55:06 +0000

My lasting memory of Prof Krieger is freshman year after Thanksgiving reak apologizing for not preparing us adequately for the exam he administered the day we left, then proceeded to solve all 5 problems on the board in about 5 minutes. We then were offered the opportunity to take a new test. His extraordinarily high expectations of his students set a bar that really took effort to clear. In that attribute, he was emblematic of what HMC meant to me. As an Engineering major, most of my interaction with him after that was associated with athletics, as he supported CMS sports of all types during the year. I greatly appreciated his enthusiasm and support. He will be missed.

By: Nandan Das

Nandan Das — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 22:27:53 +0000

Prof. Krieger and his wife, Rita, were my host family when I arrived at the Claremont colleges as an international student. I arrived with pretty much nothing since the airlines had misplaced my suitcases. Prof. Krieger and Rita opened their homes and their hearts to me. My first morning in America, he made me a “PB&J” sandwich — and he told me that was a very classic American sandwich to have. They took me shopping to replace my missing clothes. It was an interesting start — but I will never forget his kindness and his generosity. I didn’t take a class with him, but he periodically advised me informally. I cherish his memory.

By: Greg Hassold

Greg Hassold — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 21:31:05 +0000

He was a gentle man, and a wonderful teacher.

By: John Sawka

John Sawka — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 19:51:22 +0000

It was in Prof Krieger’s Linear Algebra class in the spring of 1969 that I knew I wanted to be a mathematician. More than that, I wanted to be like Hank. Later Hank would help me to achieve that goal. Thank you. I will remember you always Professor.

By: Francis Su

Francis Su — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 05:36:44 +0000

The phrase that comes to mind when I think of Hank is generosity of spirit. Hank was sharp as a razor and yet always had a humbleness about him—the epitome of kindness. He knew a lot, was generous with his wisdom and his resources, and would always be willing to substitute teach when I needed a hand. That he had an equally rich influence as a legendary Claremont tennis coach is just remarkable. I’m grateful for Hank’s leadership, mentorship, and friendship.