R. Boris Iglewicz

R. Boris Iglewicz, a renowned researcher and tenured faculty member in Temple University’s Fox School of Business, died August 25. He was 75.

R. Boris Iglewicz

Iglewicz, a professor emeritus, had taught in the statistics department since 1969, upon his hire as an associate professor by Temple’s School of Business and Management. In 1974, he was promoted to full professor. He acted as the department’s chairperson from 1978–1982, chaired Temple’s Graduate Affairs Committee from 1974–1975, and served as director of the PhD program in statistics from 1971–1976. Additionally, in 1984–1985, he was a visiting professor at Harvard University.

“Boris was a pillar of the department in his 45 years, having created our PhD program in 1973 and nurturing its growth since then,” said Sanat K. Sarkar, Cyrus H. K. Curtis Professor of Statistics and chair of the Fox School’s statistics department. “His enthusiasm and passion for the department and the school were infectious. He was a true scholar and a great mentor who deeply cared for the success and well-being of his students and colleagues. We will deeply miss him.”

Iglewicz wrote or contributed chapters to four published books, wrote 57 refereed journal articles, and served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Quality Technology and Statistics in Biopharmaceutical Research.

At the Fox School, Iglewicz supervised 24 PhD dissertations, with students winning 17 international awards for dissertation research. He was elected a fellow of the American Statistical Association and Royal Statistical Society, a member of the International Statistical Institute, and a senior member of the American Society for Quality.

In 2001, Iglewicz received the W.J. Youden Award, which acknowledges authors who have made outstanding contributions to the design of interlaboratory tests. In 2003, he received the Don Owen Award, which recognizes excellence in research, statistical consultation, and service to the statistical community.

Iglewicz is survived by his wife of 43 years, Raja Iglewicz. He is also survived by his son, David Iglewicz; David’s wife, Sandy Benkler; and their children, Brandon and Sydney Benkler-Iglewicz. He is also survived by his daughter, Alana Iglewicz; her husband, Sorin Lerner; and their children, Talia and Ellie Lerner. Boris was a proud and delightful father and grandfather with a wonderful sense of humor. He lived his life the way he wanted to and thoroughly enjoyed it. He was also a mentor and father to all his PhD students. He was loved by all and respected by many.