Robert B. Kane, 77

Robert Bignal Kane, 77, died at 9:15 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, 2005, in his residence at 4122 Verdant Lane, West Lafayette.

Born July 27, 1928, in Oak Park, Ill., he graduated from Oak Park/River Forest Township High School.

Mr. Kane received his bachelor's degree and his doctoral degree from the University of Illinois. He earned his master's degree at the University of Pittsburgh.

He served in the Army from 1952 until 1960 when he came to the Lafayette area. He was a mathematics professor and dean emeritus in the School of Education at Purdue University. He authored many math textbooks and books on freighter voyaging and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the School of Education. He was a recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash.

His hobbies were watching Purdue and Harrison High School sports, and worldwide freighter travel.

He married Barbara Winters in Oak Park, Ill., in 1950, and she survives.

Also surviving are a son, Roger C. Kane of Aurora, Colo.; and four daughters, Trudy E. Naylor (husband: Don) of Burlington, Kan., Kimberly B. Kane, of Kokomo, Colleen B. Kane of Los Angeles and Alison W. DeBoy (husband: Dean) of Lafayette.