SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — Kurt Eisemann, a protégé of Albert Einstein, died July 7 at the age of 95 following 26 years of retirement from his position as a professor of mathematical sciences and director of computing services at San Diego State University
Born in Nuernberg, Germany, his family escaped to France in 1933, but he lost his paternal uncle Karl Eisemann and family, and maternal uncle Max Bacharach and family in the Holocaust. After living in France, Palestine, and Great Britain, he immigrated to the United States on Feb. 24, 1948 without a high school diploma, but was able to go directly to college on the recommendation of famed physicist Albert Einstein, who attested for his scientific brilliance and aptitude. The media took to calling Eisemann the “embryo Einstein.”
Einstein persuaded a donor to underwrite Eisemann’s education which included a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, at Yeshiva University, a master’s degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a doctorate from Harvard in applied mathematics with a minor in engineering. Before joining the faculty at San Diego State University in 1982, Eisemann worked as a senior mathematician, manager of mathematic research, and technical director respectively at IBM Corporation, Sperry-Rand Univac Division, and Computer Usage Development Corporation. From there he went the Catholic University of America as professor of mathematical science, Northeastern University, and the University of Missouri at Kansas City before moving to San Diego.
Besides a stack of letters from Einstein, Eisemann treasured a letter from a governor of Indiana thanking him for assisting the state “in the establishment of exemplary and accountable public spirit.”
Eisemann wrote numerous articles in scientific publications on such subjects as linear programming, mathematical analysis, and recreational mathematics. At leisure, he enjoyed mathematic-based card tricks, logic puzzles, chess, and spending time with his family.
He is survived by a son, Jamin (Eva Illyes) and daughter Caroline and six grandchildren.
Preceding based on material provided by Kurt Eisemann’s family. San Diego Jewish World’s eulogy series is sponsored by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg.
We thank you for a nicely written biographical piece about a man with extraordinary intellectual talent.
Many in our community read and commented and learned from this article.
May his soul have an aliyah.
Thank you