The Department of Mathematics mourns the passing of Professor David Drake, a distinguished mathematician, former department chair, and valued colleague, who passed away on February 14, 2025, at the age of 87.
Dr. Drake joined the UF Mathematics Department in 1967 and served for 40 years, retiring in 2007. He was department chair from 1988 to 1993, a period during which he played a crucial role in stabilizing the department and strengthening its faculty. His leadership was instrumental in recruiting top mathematicians, including facilitating the return of Fields Medalist Professor John Thompson to UF.
An accomplished combinatorialist, Dr. Drake made significant contributions to finite geometries, Hjelmslev planes, and error-correcting codes. He authored numerous research papers, collaborating with mathematicians across multiple continents.
Beyond his academic achievements, Dr. Drake was known for his unwavering integrity, dedication to the department, and generosity toward colleagues and students. Faculty members fondly recall his mentorship, his efforts to support young faculty in their careers, and even his adventurous spirit—whether leading canoe trips on Florida’s rivers or navigating locked gates at the Devil’s Millhopper during faculty outings.
Dr. Drake earned his B.A. from Harvard University and Ph.D. from Syracuse University before embarking on a career that spanned decades of research and teaching. He also conducted extensive research visits in Germany and the Netherlands, fostering international collaborations.
Outside of mathematics, he led a rich and fulfilling life, enjoying jogging, piano playing, political activism, and duplicate bridge, in which he achieved the rank of Bronze Life Master. His commitment to social justice was evident in his early activism with the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), where he served as vice-chair of the Syracuse chapter in the 1960s.
Dr. Drake is survived by his wife, Donna Marie Born, whom he married in 1959, as well as his daughters Barbara and Laura, five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and other family members.
His legacy of scholarship, leadership, and mentorship will continue to inspire generations of mathematicians at UF and beyond.