Berkeley Statistics is saddened to share the passing of Teaching Professor Emeritus Roger Purves.

A native of Vancouver, Canada, Professor Roger Purves (1935-2023) earned his B.A. and M.A. from the University of British Columbia and his Ph.D. from the Department of Statistics in 1963. Purves returned to Berkeley two years later and would serve in the Department from 1965-1980 and again from 1986 until his retirement in 2013.

A noted scholar, Purves co-authored the seminal textbook "Statistics" with David Freedman and Robert Pisani, which has been used by generations of statistics students. Purves was also a beloved undergraduate lecturer known for presenting materials in an engaging and approachable manner that endeared him to students.  

Read the Daily Californian obituary. 

Read the SF Chronicle obituary.

Read messages and memories from the Statistics community.

Information on services for Roger Purves.