PAUL AIZLEY: DOING HIS MATH IN PEACE!

Paul Aizley was a mathematical pioneer in thoughts and actions. Otherwise, how do you explain a person born in Massachusetts, gets a degree from Harvard, heads West, gets a PhD in Pure Math from ASU, and then moves to Las Vegas for his first job as an assistant professor of mathematics at UNLV, and it turned out to be  his last job. 


In 1974, when I joined UNLV as a visiting assistant professor of mathematics for one year, Paul had moved into the Administration as a Special Assistant to the then President, Donald Baepler. When Baepler became the Chancellor of the NSHE, Paul came back to the Department in 1979. 

After a few years, Paul was appointed as the Director of the Summer School. Later on, he became the Dean of the Division of Continuing Education and Summer School. It was nationally ranked for its innovative short courses, programs for the seniors, and huge enrollment. In 2004, Paul returned to the Department. Soon after, he opted for a phase-in-retirement before signing off UNLV in 2008.

Paul was very active - especially in the Faculty Senate - he was elected twice as its chairperson. He was elected three times to the Nevada State Assembly (2009-2015). Of course, he had his share of election losses too -  Chair of the Faculty Senate for the third time, board member of the Silver States Federal Credit Union, and Regent of the NSHE. Paul remained active in community affairs to his end.

Paul was a man of pithy phrases. He occasionally posted his observations on life on Facebook. Last fall, he was fired up when I told him that the Mathematics Department still did not have a permanent home. He agreed to work for it. However, his prophetic words in his December 2022 email to me told of his dying before seeing a home for Math. In a fitting tribute to Paul Aizley’s services to UNLV and Las Vegas community, his name should be enshrined on UNLV’s Pioneer Wall.

Satish C. Bhatnagar 



Paul taught me as a young child that men could be kind, gentle in spirit, and generous. As a step-child to his step-child, I was treated as one of the family always. What a legacy he leaves for all who knew him! He made the world a happier place! 

The last time we saw Paul in Boston in 2018. Paul treated his cousins to Chinese food. He was always a kind and generous person who would call his Aunt Minnie without fail every Sunday 

I am very sorry to learn of Paul's passing. He hired me to work with him at the UNLV Division of Continuing Education.

He was passionate about his work at UNLV, and yet he was very considerate and caring toward his office colleagues.
He displayed an exceptional sense of humor, and was very outgoing and engaged in university activities.

My thoughts and prayers are with this family

Chris Schearer

I am a cousin of Paul's from Boston. He was beloved by all, a real mensch.  He lived his values and I always said he was the brains of the family. He was a very good person and anyone who knew him will dearly miss him. May he be in a better place and blessed. I am proud to say kaddish for Paul for the next month.

I don't see a description here yet, so I will add this bio from the University of Nevada, which was very lucky to have him as a faculty member for many years.

Paul Aizley was born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 16, 1936. He earned degrees at Harvard University, University of Arizona, and his doctorate at Arizona State University. His 1968 move to Las Vegas, Nevada was to begin a long career at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). From 1968 to 2008, 

Paul Aizley served UNLV in a variety of important capacities: a mathematics professor, dean of Continuing Education for 13 years, and the founder of the popular programs of OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.) 

In 2008, he was encouraged to run for the vacant District 41 State Assembly office. He won and held the position from 2009 – 2015. Among the legislations he championed was one to advance gender equity. 

He stayed an active Democrat, firm that there were not enough seniors in these positions, and was the Speaker Pro Tempore of the Nevada Assembly.

"Assemblyman Paul Aizley." Nevada Legislature.

"Paul Aizley." University of Nevada Las Vegas.

https://special.library.unlv.edu/taxonomy/term/16182

OBITUARY

Paul Aizley

February 16, 1936 – April 16, 2023

King David Memorial Chapel & Cemetery

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