Dr. Włodzimierz (Włodek) J. Charatonik, professor emeritus of mathematics and statistics, passed away April 14, at age 63, after a brief battle with COVID-19.

Charatonik came to Missouri S&T as a visiting professor of mathematics in 1999 and joined the mathematics and statistics department as an associate professor in 2001. He was promoted to professor with tenure in 2005 and retired from the university in 2019. He is survived by his wife, Ewa, and an extensive family.

His work in topology began under the tutelage of his father, J.J. Charatonik, also a towering mathematician of the 20th century. His work, especially in continuum theory, is respected internationally. He has authored or co-authored over 120 refereed and reviewed articles, spoken in numerous conferences and advised several Ph.D. students. Among his students are Robbie Beane, Sahika Sahan, Hussam Abobaker and Faruq Mena. In addition, he was an admired colleague and a respected, influential mentor to many of his colleagues and to mathematicians internationally.