Robert L. Ashenhurst, professor emeritus of applied mathematics at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business and the fifth editor-in-chief of Communications of the ACM, passed away October 21. He was 80 years old. In 1998, ACM recognized Ashenhurst's 35 years of service with its prestigious Outstanding Contribution to ACM Award. Of those 35 years, 28 were dedicated to steering the editorial direction of and maintaining the highest editorial standards for Communications. He served as the publication's Computer Systems Editor from 1963 to 1972; maintained the popular Forum column from 1973 to 1991; and left his greatest footprint as its Editor-in-Chief from April 1973 to January 1983. Of the eight Editors-in-Chief to head Communications to date, Ashenhurst served the longest. In an essay published in the January 2008 issue of Communications, marking the publication's 50th anniversary, Ashenhurst recalled some of the many challenges he faced as editor, often trying to find the editorial common thread between academics and practitioners to make each issue of professional value to both sides. Ashenhurst also served ACM for many years as a member of ACM Council; he was its Parliamentarian for over two decades. He chaired ACM SIGCAS, ACM's Constitutions and Bylaws Committee, and ACM's Chicago chapter. He was an active member of ACM's Awards Committee as well as its Curriculum Committee on Education for Management. He was named an ACM Fellow in 1995.

An editorial memoriam for Ashenhurst is planned for the January 2010 issue of Communications to detail his many ACM and CACM contributions, including favorite recollections from ACM colleagues and former editors.

Read the University of Chicago obituary.