Erik M. Bollt

Erik, born April 24, 1967, grew up in Bethesda, MD. During college and graduate school at UC Berkeley and the University of Colorado at Boulder, he developed a lifelong love for outdoor activity. Throughout his life, he would continue rowing, cross-country skiing, and cycling, including becoming a national collegiate cycling champion in team pursuit in 1991. In 1995, Erik became the first and only student from his class to graduate with a PhD from the newly created applied math program.

As a professor, Erik was proud to be a teacher and advisor, in addition to a researcher. He particularly loved delivering lectures. Erik guided 34 graduate and postdoctoral researchers in their journeys towards expert inquiry, and he treasured these and other colleagues as good friends.

Over the course of his time at the US Military Academy, the US Naval Academy, and finally 23 years at Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY, Erik accrued over 250 publications, authored a textbook, and received over 10,000 citations in groundbreaking research. He was revered for his unique ability to connect classical tools with emerging computer methods, and to unify seemingly disparate ideas, enabling things neither tool could achieve alone. Erik used his techniques to answer crucial questions relevant to farming, weather prediction, the capabilities and limitations of AI, and more. This work brought millions of dollars in national research grants to Clarkson and the local community.

Erik’s greatest pride was his three children: Keith, Scott, and Adam, whom he inspired with values of love and curiosity for the world and whose varied passions he encouraged with every opportunity.

Erik is also survived by his mother Nina, his sisters Marci and Julie, his aunt Anita, and his wife of 30 years, Elizabeth.

Erik achieved his boyhood dream of becoming a pilot. He shared his dream by giving rides to friends and neighbors and by volunteering to carry out rescue flights for dogs. He derived great joy from the life he constructed in the beautiful North Country and on the Raquette River.

“We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and the depth of our answers” - Carl Sagan

In lieu of flowers, Erik’s family requests donations to The Friends of Higley Flow State Park.

Please convey any condolences to:

Scott Bollt California Institute of Technology Mail Code MC 105-50 Pasadena, CA 91125

Or, to:

[email protected]

A graveside service for Erik will be held on January 3, 2026 at Bayside Cemetery at 9am

Updates will be provided at https://sites.google.com/cornell.edu/erik-bollt/information

Arrangements are entrusted to the Garner Funeral Service. Condolences can also be left @www.garnerfh.com.