Professor Thrall passed away on April 11, 2006 after a long and illustrious career in mathematical sciences. Dr. Robert M. Thrall came to Rice from the University of Michigan where he had been on the UM faculty from 1937 to 1969. He was hired by Rice as a Professor of Mathematical Sciences in January 1969. In July 1977, Dr. Thrall was appointed to the joint position of Professor of Administrative Sciences. He taught courses in both the Mathematical Sciences Department and the Jones Graduate School of Administration. In July 1978, he was appointed as the Noah Harding Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. (The Department's name changed to Computational & Applied Mathematics in early 1990s). Dr. Thrall retired on January 1, 1984 with the dual title of Noah Harding Professor Emeritus of Mathematical Sciences and Professor Emeritus of Administrative Science. He was a widely recognized scholar in operations research and management science.

You may find his obituary below:

http://www.legacy.com/philly/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=17403820