
Robert James Plemmons
Computational Mathematician
- Lifespan
- December 18, 1938 – February 6, 2026Dec 18, 1938 – Feb 6, 2026
- Location
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United StatesWinston-Salem, NC

Computational Mathematician
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Key moments and achievements from Robert Plemmons's life.
Robert was born
· Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
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In 1979, Plemmons co-authored Nonnegative Matrices in the Mathematical Sciences with Abraham Berman. The book has been cited over 7,500 times and remains one of the most influential texts in computational mathematics.
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In 1979, Plemmons co-authored Nonnegative Matrices in the Mathematical Sciences with Abraham Berman. The book has been cited over 7,500 times and remains one of the most influential texts in computational mathematics.
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While teaching at North Carolina State University from 1981 to 1990, Plemmons founded the University of North Carolina Systems Center for Research in Scientific Computation. The center became an important hub for computational mathematics research across the UNC system.
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While teaching at North Carolina State University from 1981 to 1990, Plemmons founded the University of North Carolina Systems Center for Research in Scientific Computation. The center became an important hub for computational mathematics research across the UNC system.
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In 1990, Plemmons joined the faculty of Wake Forest University as the Z. Smith Reynolds Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science, one of the universitys most distinguished endowed chairs. He held the position until his retirement from teaching in 2013.
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In 1990, Plemmons joined the faculty of Wake Forest University as the Z. Smith Reynolds Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science, one of the universitys most distinguished endowed chairs. He held the position until his retirement from teaching in 2013.
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Plemmons authored more than 250 publications on computational mathematics and served on the editorial board of six journals. His prolific research output covered topics from matrix theory to applied optics and space situational awareness.
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Plemmons authored more than 250 publications on computational mathematics and served on the editorial board of six journals. His prolific research output covered topics from matrix theory to applied optics and space situational awareness.
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Plemmons was elected a Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), one of the highest honors in the applied mathematics community. The fellowship recognized his exceptional contributions to computational mathematics and scientific computing.
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Plemmons was elected a Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), one of the highest honors in the applied mathematics community. The fellowship recognized his exceptional contributions to computational mathematics and scientific computing.
Robert Plemmons passed away