Submitted by Serge B. Provost
Arak M. Mathai—an eminent mathematician and statistician whose work markedly shaped modern multivariate analysis, special functions, and applied probability—passed away December 20, 2025, after contending with a cancer as swift as it was unforeseen. He bequeaths a legacy of enduring resonance and global influence.
Born in Kerala, India, Mathai displayed a remarkable aptitude for mathematics from an early age. After completing his initial studies in his home country, he pursued advanced studies at the University of Toronto before joining the faculty at McGill University in Montréal, where he devoted the greater part of his distinguished academic career to teaching and research. Over more than six decades, he established himself as one of the most creative and prolific contributors to mathematical and statistical sciences.
Mathai’s research extended across numerous areas of statistics and many branches of mathematics, intersecting with geometrical probability, information theory, astrophysics, and biological modeling. The author of 37 books and more than 300 research articles, he made a significant impact across a broad array of research areas.
Yet, beyond the researcher, it is the mentor many will remember. Professor Mathai was a generous and inspiring guide, whose influence extended across several generations of scholars. He supervised numerous graduate students, many of whom went on to distinguished careers. He encouraged independent thought while offering patient support and wise counsel. I was fortunate to be among those he supervised, pursuing my doctoral studies under his guidance from 1980 to 1984. He also played a decisive role in me joining the Western University Department of Statistical and Actuarial Sciences, where I’ve been professionally active for upwards of 42 years. His mentorship contributed meaningfully to my academic development. Over the years, as we collaborated on three books and numerous research papers, I was continually inspired by his rigorous work ethic. Above all, like so many others, I knew him as a caring, kind, and affable person. He had a gift for making complex ideas accessible and delighted in sharing his insights with others, speaking with clarity and purpose, asking thoughtful questions, and offering constructive feedback. His passing leaves a profound sense of loss among all who benefited from his guidance and encouragement.
Professor Mathai’s influence extended far beyond McGill University. For instance, he was among the principal architects of the Centre for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. Established in the state of Kerala, it’s a research institute dedicated to advancing statistics and mathematics in India. Under his leadership, CMSS became a vibrant hub for research, training, and international collaboration. His commitment to fostering scientific development in his home country proved unwavering.
His honors attest to the esteem he commanded internationally. A fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, the Royal Statistical Society, and the National Academy of Sciences of India, he also held the presidencies of the Indian Mathematical Society and the Kerala State Statistical Commission. He sat on the editorial boards of leading journals while frequently being invited to deliver keynote lectures. On three occasions, he was honored by the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs. Notably, he founded the Canadian Journal of Statistics and the Statistical Science Association of Canada—subsequently renamed the Statistical Society of Canada. Despite these distinctions and his distinguished achievements, he remained unfailingly humble throughout his career.
The loss of Mathai reverberates well beyond the Canadian statistical community, echoing across scientific circles worldwide. His ideas keep inspiring new and vibrant avenues of research, and his influence endures in the students he trained, his wide circle of collaborators, and all those carrying his insights forward. His imprint is woven into the fabric of modern mathematical statistics, and his legacy will continue to resonate for generations.
He is survived by his family, to whom his devotion never wavered. His memory will live on not only through his scientific contributions, but also through the generosity, integrity, and intellectual ethos that defined him.
The life and work of Arak M. Mathai reflected a genuine passion for discovery, a steadfast dedication to mentorship, and a sustained commitment to the advancement of knowledge. He will be deeply missed.
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