James “Jim” Hebda, Ph.D., professor of mathematics and statistics at Saint Louis University, beloved mentor to students in his department and beyond, died on Jan. 18, 2026, at 73.
Hebda joined the university as an assistant professor of mathematical sciences in 1981 before becoming a professor in 1990. He later served as the mathematics department chair from 2011-2017. Hebda was a SLU faculty member for close to 45 years before beginning a phased retirement process in 2023.
Born and raised in Chicago, Hebda gained his undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of Illinois Chicago in 1974. Then later his master’s and doctoral degrees in mathematics at the University of Chicago in 1975 and 1979, respectively.
Hebda’s area of expertise and research focus was on differential and Riemannian geometry, and he had been collaborating with colleagues internationally on problems in the field.
He had recently been helping graduate student Nathaniel Alloway on topics in algebraic topology and Braid groups — an area outside of Hebda’s traditional expertise. Hebda had made a habit of branching out into other areas of math to engage with his students and colleagues.
“He wrapped his brain around other topics quickly, and he could always come up with such insightful questions,” said Anneke Bart, Ph.D., professor of mathematics and current department chair at SLU. “He was a modest man, incredibly smart, but he never thought of himself as above anyone else.”
“His modesty endeared him to people,” Bart said.
Bart described Hebda as someone the whole department knew they could turn to, and spoke of how she learned a lot from him after knowing him for 28 years. She described him as a “constant presence” in her life and in the department.
According to Bart, Ebda was a devoted husband who would regularly frequent the department events with his wife, Sue Turk. Bart said he blessed these functions with his “wicked sense of humor.”
“You could see the glint in his eye when something funny was about to come out,” Bart said.
His presence in the department was also more than just his research and comedic sense; he was incredibly devoted to teaching and to caring for his students.
Hebda had begun designing a new class and regularly advised younger faculty on how to better teach mathematics. Bart said she would regularly ask for his advice once she became the new department chair, and he always had ideas for how the department could improve.
Not only was he an academic, he was also a father, husband and caring member of his local community. He stayed active in local politics and took care of stray cats.
He was also an avid musician who played the clarinet and piano. Another colleague of Hebda’s, Stacey Harris, Ph.D., a fellow professor of mathematics at SLU, shared her love of music with him.
“He played clarinet and piano, I played flute; and he composed pieces that included me for flute,” Harris said. She had known Ebda for nearly 55 years and has remained close with his family, especially his wife, in recent years.
In a letter sent to The University News, Harris reflected on Hebda’s passing: “May we all be such wonderful friends to others and contributors to life, knowledge and human warmth and wonderment.”
There will be a memorial service held on campus later in the semester.
Hebda is survived by his wife, Sue Turk, and son, Joshua.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct information regarding Hebda’s undergraduate education. An earlier version incorrectly stated where he earned his bachelor’s degree.
