Obituary of Theodore Bick

SCHENECTADY - Theodore Avery "Ted" Bick peacefully entered into eternal life on August 1, 2016. Born in Brooklyn, NY on December 18, 1930, he was the son of the late Theodore John and Beatrice (Niles) Bick. He married the love of his life, Joan Spano in 1974. Ted was a 1949 graduate of Oneonta High School where he played trumpet in the band and was a member of the school's 1947 baseball team which played for the state championship at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. He served in the 1st 90mm AAA Gun Batallion, US Marine Corps in Korea, receiving honaorable discharge in 1952 with the rank of Sergeant. Ted attended Union College from 1954-1958, majoring in Mathematics and was a member of the basketball and track teams. He then earned a MS and PhD in Mathematics from the University of Rochester. Ted joined the faculty of Hobart and William Smith College and then Union College in 1966 and where he served until 1998 as a professor of Mathematics, as well as positions as Department chair, cross country coach, a mentor in the Academic Opportunity Program (AOP), and played the fight song "It's Union's Game" on his trumpet after touchdowns. He was the author of several scholarly articles and two books, Introduction to Abstract Mathematics and Elementary Boundary Value Problems. Ted took up road running in his forties and participated in 21 marathons, 13 at Boston., with a best time of 2 hours, 46 minutes. He was a communicant and choir member at St Kateri Tekakwitha Parish. Ted is survived by his wife Joan A. Bick, children: Nancy Bick of Kansas City, MO, Sandra (Michael) Tritt of Oneida, TN, Jonathan Bick of Colonie, NY, Andrew (Kristin) Bick of Asheville, NC and Lisa Spano (Jan) Zadoorian of Halfmoon, NY, his beloved sister Beatrice (Theodore) Hawkins of Statesville, NC and brother Daniel (Michelle) Bick of Wilmington, NC, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and many dear friends. Calling hours will be Friday 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClellan St., Schenectady. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 am Saturday at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church, Union St. (formerly St. Helen's). Interment will be in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in Ted's memory to the Union College AOP Fund, College Relations, 807 Union St, Schenectady, NY 12308.