Joseph Steven Madachy

Madachy, Joseph Steven age 87, passed away on March 27, 2014. He was preceded in death by his father, Steven, mother Anne and his loving wife Juliana. He was born in Star Junction, PA and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a research chemist, technical editor and highly renowned recreational mathematician.

Joseph entered the US Army weeks before the end of World War II in 1945. He re-enlisted for another 6 years performing chemical and nuclear research. He went to Western Reserve University receiving his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Chemistry on the G.I. Bill. From 1961 to 1964 he was owner, publisher and editor of Recreational Mathematics Magazine. He moved to Kettering Ohio and began working for Mound Laboratories in Miamisburg, Ohio holding various technical positions until his retirement.

In recreational mathematics he made numerous original contributions, was a major proponent and supporter for decades. Greenwood Press asked him to restart his journal in 1967 and for almost 30 years he was lead editor for the Journal of Recreational Mathematics (published by Baywood Publishing since 1973) and then editor emeritus. He authored the books Mathematics on Vacation, Madachy's Mathematical Recreations, Mathematical Diversions, and co-authored others. He worked with prime numbers, polyominoes, amicable numbers and developed mathematical concepts used in applications such as cyber security with cryptarithmetic. He made contributions to Narcissistic numbers and Fibonacci series devising puzzles. His work in recreational mathematics covered other diverse areas from chess to calculator art. Longtime colleagues and co-authors in recreational mathematics include Martin Gardner, Harry Nelson, Isaac Asimov and others.

While at Western Reserve he met his future wife Juliana. After marrying in 1957, they spent time near Kent Ohio and in Idaho Falls from 1959-1961 as a research chemist for Phillips Petroleum Co. before settling down in Kettering, Ohio where they raised a family of six children. His unique personality instilled curiosity, a love of learning, appreciation of nature, using one’s mind for reason and logic, discipline and work ethic. He never had an unkind word to say. He was the beloved father of Ray and his wife Nancy of San Diego, California, Mike and his wife Donna of Fruita, Colorado, Rob and his wife Christina of Erie, Colorado, Tom and his wife Stephanie of Centerville, Ohio, Linda and her husband Bruce of Arcanum, Ohio, Rita of Vandalia, Ohio his brother John of Cleveland, Ohio and had 16 grandchildren: Brandon, David, Sarah, Kevin (Emma), Mike, Jacob, Ben, Steven, Matthew, Michael, Aliese, Zoey, Deziree, Alexandra, Anna and Nathan. He also leaves behind nieces, nephews, and extended family members. A private burial will be held at Miami Valley Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the JasonMadachyFoundation.org.