It is with great sadness that NCCTM has learned of the passing of one of our founders, Bob Jones. Bob played an instrumental role in working to organize a meeting that would give birth to NCCTM.

In 1970, as Supervisor of Mathematics for the State Department of Public Instruction, Bob—along with Bob Clary, Josie Thomson, and Hunter Ballew—started conversations about forming a new state organization for math teachers. A proposal was written to NCTM for funds to underwrite a meeting of mathematics leaders from across the state to plan the organization's structure.

NCTM funded this proposal and Bob, Josie Thompson, and Hunter Ballew organized the meeting and sent a letter of invitation to those identified as leaders in the North Carolina mathematics education community. A core group of 20 leaders from around the state attended a meeting in Bryson City in October to brainstorm—a gathering now considered to be the first meeting of NCCTM. The group felt strongly that this proposed organization could take on the responsibilities of sharing the content, pre-service, and in-service experiences in primary and secondary mathematics.

Through his career in education and administration and his involvement in NCCTM, Bob had a huge impact on mathematics education in North Carolina. We send our deepest sympathies to Bob’s family at this sad time.  He will be sorely missed!