Robert Kalaba, a professor of biomedical engineering, electrical engineering and economics at USC, passed away September 29, surrounded by his loving family. The longtime resident of Pacific Palisades was 78. Dr. Kalaba was born on September 21, 1926 in Mount Vernon, New York. He earned his B.A. in mathematics from New York University and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He served in the U. S. Navy during World War II. Kalaba then received his doctorate from the Coronet Institute of Mathematical Sciences at NYU. He joined The Rand Corporation in 1951 and then went to USC in 1968 as a full professor. Kalaba was well known for his numerous, seminal and outstanding contributions to various fields of applied mathematics and engineering. They include dynamic programming, quasilinearization, conversion of two-point boundary value problems to initial value problems, adaptive system identification, radiative heat transfer, communication, control and network theory, modeling and analysis of biological systems and the development of new equations of motion for constrained mechanical systems. He published over 700 pages in refereed journals and authored, or co-authored, 12 books ranging from the approximate determination of Laplace transforms, to control theory, to mechanics. Kalaba founded the Journal of Applied Mathematics and Computation and was on the editorial board of six other journals. He was the recipient of both the Outstanding Teaching Award and the Outstanding Senior Research Award from the Viterbi School of Engineering at USC. Kalaba was an avid sports fan, particularly of USC football. He was dedicated to research and teaching and deeply devoted to his wife of 53 years, Wilma, as well as their children. A 48-year resident of the Palisades, Kalaba is survived by his wife; children Bob, Darlene, Kathy and Rick; grandchildren Kristin, Joe (wife Danielle), Sarah and Lindsey; sister-in-law Deana and husband Doug Petty of Leawood, Kansas, as well as many nieces and nephews. The lives of those who knew him are enriched. He loved his work and his students, and continued teaching right up until his passing. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, colleagues and students for his sterling qualities: honesty, sincerity, and a sense of grace and dignity. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 9 at 2 p.m. in Corpus Christi Church, 15100 Sunset.
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