During his time at Ruhr University, he was one of the initiators and leading figures of the interdisciplinary collaborative research centers
• SFB 237 Disorder and Large Fluctuations (1987–2002)
• SFB/TRR 12 Symmetries and Universality in Mesoscopic Systems (2003–2015)
and the priority program
• SPP 1094 Global Methods in Complex Geometry (2000–2008).
In these programs, he proved himself to be a researcher and mediator between the various disciplines who was recognized and appreciated by all sides.
A wide range of contacts, global scientific exchange, and frequent lecture tours to countries near and far made him one of the leading figures in his field.
His scientific achievements were honored with honorary doctorates from the Universities of Lille and Nancy.
He was editor of several mathematical journals (Transformation Groups, EJPAM, CASY) and long-time coordinator of the Horst Tietz Fund within the Oberwolfach Foundation.
After his retirement in 2009, he served as Wisdom Professor of Mathematics at Jacobs University Bremen.
Alan Huckleberry was an inspiring, motivating, and demanding academic teacher. He supervised more than 40 doctoral theses. Many of his students have themselves made significant scientific contributions.
Professor Huckleberry earned his PhD in 1969 under H. L. Royden at Stanford University. Before joining Ruhr University, he held professorships at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, as well as visiting professorships in Pisa and Münster.
The Faculty of Mathematics at Ruhr University Bochum
has lost a charismatic individual and passionate researcher and teacher in Alan Huckleberry.
A conference honoring his scientific achievements, particularly in the fields of group actions, symplectic geometry, and theoretical physics, will be held at RUB in February 2026.
