Wolfgang Paul Kappe, 84, professor emeritus of mathematics, died Friday, February 20, 2015.
He completed Abitur in 1947 and enrolled at the Technische Universität in West Berlin then at the Humboldt Universität in East Berlin, where he pursued studies in mathematics. In 1959, he enrolled at the Universität Frankfurt and relocated to the Mathematical Research Institute at Oberwolfach as administrator, completing his doctorate in 1961. He and his wife emigrated to the U.S. in 1963. In 1968, they moved to Vestal, to join the mathematics faculty at Binghamton, where they were instrumental in developing the PhD program and where Wolfgang served as graduate director for many years.
An algebraist working in group theory, with major contributions to this area, Kappe retired in 2000, but kept contact with the department by attending the algebra seminar on a regular basis.