Remembering Dr. John Joseph Deely

02-06-2025

Dr. John Joseph Deely, 92, retired Continuing Lecturer in the Department of Statistics, passed away on January 17, 2025, at his home in West Lafayette, Indiana. Over his decades-long career, John shaped the field of statistics through his teaching, research, and mentoring, leaving an indelible impact on his students, colleagues, and the broader academic community. He will be deeply missed.

John was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on January 13, 1933. He earned an Electrical Engineering degree from Georgia Tech before pursuing his passion for mathematics and statistics at Purdue University, where he completed his M.S. in Mathematics in 1958 and a Ph.D. in Statistics in 1965 under the supervision of Professor Shanti S. Gupta. John’s career took him from Sandia Corporation in Albuquerque, where he worked on cutting-edge research in the space age, to the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, where he spent 28 years growing the statistics program and mentoring generations of students. Under his leadership, the program expanded from a single course with 100 students to a thriving department with eight courses and hundreds of students. In recognition of his contributions, he was promoted rapidly, ultimately serving as Chair of Statistics.

In 1997, John returned to Purdue, where he became a beloved Continuing Lecturer, primarily teaching STAT 113: Statistics and Society. With his sharp wit and engaging teaching style, he introduced thousands of students to the power of statistical reasoning. In his words, "They hate numbers. They hate data. The challenge is can you somehow give such students a little appreciation in statistical reasoning in spite of their hatred of numbers. Can you make it interesting enough? I'm always looking for funny ways, ways in which people abuse statistics." He was known for his humor, real-world examples, and ability to make statistics both accessible and compelling. Beyond the classroom, he remained an active researcher, collaborating with colleagues worldwide on Bayesian methods, empirical Bayes, and statistical decision theory. His presence at Bayesian meetings often meant that there would be some form of entertainment that involved his ability to make people laugh, as in the presentation of the Deely Awards with Ed Goerge. He retired at the remarkable age of 85.

John is survived by his dear wife of 35 years, Elizabeth "Ann" Young Ann, his six children and their spouses from his first marriage to Anola, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, two stepchildren, and two step-grandchildren. He treasured his family and the life he built with Ann, finding joy in their years together. At this time, no service will be held. May John's memory bring comfort to all who knew him and inspire future generations in the pursuit of knowledge.