John Edwin Derwent

John Edwin Derwent, beloved father, grandfather, educator, and lifelong member of the Notre Dame community, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2026. He was 91 years old. He was born in Chicago IL on July 12, 1934, the third child and only son of the late Paul E. and R. Evelyn Derwent of Chicago.

John graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep, Chicago IL in 1951. In the spring of 1951, his father asked him if he would like to attend the University of Notre Dame, a question that would frame the next 75 years of his life. John matriculated at Notre Dame in the fall of 1951, living in Farley Hall and serving as a team manager for the Irish football team under Frank Leahy. In succeeding years, he lived in Cavanaugh, Sorin, and Fisher, majoring in Mathematics and graduating in 1955.

Upon graduation, John went to graduate school in Mathematics at Princeton University. After a short stint in New Jersey, he returned to Notre Dame and entered the seminary. After two years in the seminary, he returned to graduate work in Mathematics at Notre Dame.

While in graduate school, he met a fellow graduate student, Mary Lou Duff. They were married on August 26, 1961 in Cornwall NY. Together they built a loving family and shared over six decades of marriage. John and Mary Lou had 5 children and 8 grandchildren: Margaret (William) Ketcham of Chicago, their daughter (Angelica); Paul (Maureen) Derwent of Wheaton, IL, their children (Murphy, twins Andrew and Alice); Thomas (Christine) Derwent of Granger, IN, their son ( Alexander); Mark (Kim Scott) Derwent of Ada, MI, their daughters (Mary, Hannah); and John J. Derwent of Evanston, IL, his daughter (Sabrina).

After receiving his PhD in Mathematics, with a thesis on “On The Realization of the Morse Inequalities As Equalities”, John spent the academic year 1963-64 as a Sloan Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. On completion of the fellowship, he returned to the Mathematics Department faculty at Notre Dame which was his home until retirement in 2004.

Renowned as both a teacher and an administrator, John served as Department Chair, director of undergraduate studies, and was a major force in the restructuring of the curriculum to better serve the students. He was a recipient of both the Thomas Madden Award (1978) for excellence in teaching of first year students and the Rev. James. L Shilts, C.S.C./ Doris and Eugene Leonard Teaching Award for excellence in teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level (1986). In 1981, he received the President’s award, which recognizes pioneering and visionary achievements in research, public impact, and/or creative endeavors that advance University goals. After his retirement, he continued to advise students and was a regular presence on campus for many years.

With his wife, 4 children, two daughters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and 1 grandchild as Notre Dame alumni, John’s ties to the University ran deep. An avid follower of Notre Dame sports (football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball), he had a reputation for making the best daiquiris in South Bend. He loved bad jokes* and wrote one at the bottom of his attendance sheets every day.

Beyond his academic accomplishments, John will be remembered for the joy and generosity he brought to everyday life. He was a lover of Siamese cats, naming them for famous mathematicians. He installed a basketball hoop not just for the family, but for the neighborhood to come and play, often joining in for games. With Mary Lou, John pioneered an annual ice cream social and hosted all of Harter Heights. The family home was a welcome gathering place both before and after football games for his family and their friends. A man of quiet warmth and compassion, John rode his bicycle to Notre Dame nearly every day, greeting everyone he passed with a smile. In all these ways, John was a true son of Notre Dame.

John is survived by his children, grandchildren, in-laws, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and his beloved wife Mary Lou.

Visitation with the family and a wake service will be held at O’Rourke’s Public House on Thursday April 30, 2026 from 12-2 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame IN, on April 30 at 2:30 pm. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame, IN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Pet Refuge or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

*I asked my dog what’s two minus two. He said nothing.

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