Paul Shaman

Paul Shaman, our beloved colleague and friend, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2025, surrounded by his family. His loss is deeply felt by all who knew him—as a teacher, mentor, leader, and kind-hearted presence in the academic community. Paul preserved his unfailing fortitude and quiet strength through his final days.

Paul was a member of the faculty at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania for over 45 years, serving as both a professor and later as emeritus professor. Remarkably, he remained actively engaged in teaching popular classes on time series and econometrics until May of last year, when he was 85. During his long tenure as department chair (1990–2002), he oversaw a period of transformative growth and development, leaving a lasting mark on the department’s direction and standing.

Paul’s service to the broader statistical community, and to the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS) in particular, was extraordinary in both scope and dedication. He served twice as IMS Managing Editor (1986–89 and 2002–07), a role in which he meticulously proofread accepted manuscripts prior to publication—a task requiring both precision and tireless commitment. He also played a key role in the development and maintenance of the IMS Scientific Legacy Database, preserving the history of the discipline and its contributors.

Over the years, Paul contributed to IMS in numerous other capacities, including as:

• Member of the IMS Committee on Memorials (2010–25; Chair 2024–25)

• Member of the IMS Committee on Publications (1986–89, 2002–07)

• Member of the IMS Committee on Electronic Issues (2005–06)

• Member of the IMS Committee to Select Administrative Officers (1999–2001; Chair 2000–01)

• Member of the IMS Committee to Select Editors (1994–95)

• Member and Chair of the IMS Ad Hoc Committee on Electronic Publication (1992)

In recognition of his exceptional service to the profession and the IMS, Paul was awarded the prestigious Carver Medal in 2004.

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, on March 31, 1939, Paul graduated from Cleveland High School before heading east to attend Dartmouth College. His early love for both numbers and sports led him to roles as a radio broadcaster for high school and college games, serving as the voice of Dartmouth basketball and football. He later pursued a Ph.D. in statistics at Columbia University, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University and a faculty appointment at Carnegie Mellon University, before joining the Wharton School. From picking up faculty candidates at the airport whether their plane arrived early in the morning or late at night, and insisting on driving a staff member experiencing an asthma attack across town so she could be seen at her regular hospital, to providing detailed comments on the first independent papers of junior faculty members, Paul touched the lives of so many in our department and beyond.

Beyond academia, Paul led a rich and full life. He and his wife, Susan, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June 2024, surrounded by family and friends. He had a deep affection for dogs, a passion for cryptic crossword puzzles, and an enduring devotion to Philadelphia’s sports teams–the Sixers, Phillies, and Eagles. Above all, he cherished time spent with his four grandchildren and took immense pride in their accomplishments and adventures. Paul was a legendary baker. His granddaughter’s favorite was his chocolate chip cookies—she learned only recently that the reason Paul made them just for her was that he suffered from a chocolate allergy.

Paul is survived by his wife, Susan; his sons, David and Jeffrey; his daughters-in-law, Sabine and Sila; and his grandchildren, Benjamin, Minal, Ethan, and Dalya.

Paul Shaman’s legacy is one of unwavering integrity, intellectual rigor, and quiet generosity.

He will be deeply missed.

Written by Tony Cai, Abba Krieger,
Dylan Small, and Robert Stine