My most sincere condolences to Dr. Bialus’ family.  Wayne was my first instructor in probability in 1975 at Cornell University.  He made the subject fascinating and it was always a joy to hear his lectures.  I didn’t learn of his passing until now.  I have thought of his humor and outstanding insights often over these almost fifty years.  He made a positive difference in the world and in my education.  Thank you Wayne!

I learned of Wayne’s passing only this week, and fittingly, it was Wayne’s characteristic graciousness that alerted me.  While I have not lived in the Buffalo area for more than thirty years, Wayne would reply unfailingly to Christmas cards and other missives
with good humor, kind wishes, and appreciation, particularly of my wife’s artwork, and he would always inquire about our son.  It was only when this did not happen this year and when he did not respond to an e-mailed well-being check during the recent blizzard that I began to make inquiries.

When I joined the UB Industrial Engineering faculty for a brief stint in the mid-1980s I was a fish out of water, the lone mathematician on a faculty strong in human factors engineering and growing in applied operations research.  Wayne was a lifeline for a theorem prover.  Wayne quickly befriended me and my family.  He was the first to invite us to dinner.  While Wayne and I enjoyed many memorable discussions of the theory of dynamic noncooperative games and of applied probability, I remember just as clearly his engagement with and appreciation of my wife’s musicianship
and of my young son’s creative endeavors.  He was effusive with his praise and generous with his time,
and I miss him all the more as I remember these things.  Wayne was a good man.

I met Wayne as a freshman at Clarkson. We were both math majors and became friends throughout our undergraduate years though chose different graduate schools and different careers (Wayne in academics, mine in industry).  We did not stay in touch though I still have fond memories.    

Wayne was more than a brilliant student. His teaching skills were evident early on.  He tutored many on the hockey team while at Clarkson.  Wayne’s notes became legendary, and he would share them broadly.  If you were to ask Wayne a question, you wouldn’t get just an answer but a didactic explanation on how to get to the answer.  

Wayne followed hockey enthusiastically.  He could be spotted at the arena in his favorite spot on the side, behind glass in the first couple of rows.  Presumably he did the same at Cornell though hopefully rooted for Clarkson when they competed.  And in addition to a heavy load in the sciences, Wane would schedule practice time at the nearby Crane School of Music.  He first published while in high school on a biology experiment.  

Wayne was quick to smile and laugh. His life of give back to students through teaching is what I would have expected.  He was a good person and a credit to the profession.    


I was fortunate to spend many Easter and Thanksgiving dinners with Wayne.   He was always upbeat and full of fantastic stories. He loved being around the family and never missed an opportunity to encourage the students & professors who gathered together to celebrate the Holidays.  His presence will be missed.    ~Amy Szczygiel

OBITUARY

Wayne F. Bialas

August 5, 1949 – June 4, 2022

Beach-Tuyn Funeral Home

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