The National Institute of Statistical Sciences (NISS) mourns the passing of Professor Henry Wynn, a distinguished statistician and dedicated member of the Statistics Serving Society (S3) Ingram Olkin Forums Committee. Wynn’s contributions to the field of statistics, as well as his dedication to applying statistical insights for societal benefit, leave behind a lasting legacy.
A Legacy of Scholarship and Service
Henry Wynn’s career was marked by groundbreaking contributions to statistical theory and its applications across multiple disciplines, including risk assessment, engineering, and urban systems. He was the Principal Investigator at the London School of Economics (LSE) on the EU-funded projects CELSIUS (Combined Efficient Large Scale Integrated Urban Systems) and ReUseHeat (Recovery of Urban Excess Heat). Additionally, he led the Decision Support and Risk Group (DSRG), fostering research on complex statistical models for decision-making.
Throughout his esteemed career, Wynn held influential academic positions, including serving as Head of the Department of Statistics at LSE (2003-2006) and as Scientific Co-Director of EURANDOM, the international stochastics institute at Eindhoven Technical University (TUE), in the Netherlands. His earlier roles included professorships at City University London and the University of Warwick, where he played a pivotal role in founding the Risk Initiative and Statistical Consultancy Unit (RISCU). His leadership helped establish RISCU as a leading center for risk-based statistical research.
Wynn was a founding president of the European Network for Business and Industrial Statistics (ENBIS), which has grown into a significant professional network with over a thousand members. His contributions to the field were recognized through numerous honors, including the Guy Medal in Silver from the Royal Statistical Society, the Box Medal from ENBIS, and an Honorary Fellowship from the Institute of Actuaries.
Connection to Ingram Olkin and the S3 Committee
Professor Wynn’s involvement in the Statistics Serving Society (S3) Ingram Olkin Forums Committee was a testament to his commitment to using statistical methods to address pressing societal issues. He was nominated to the committee by fellow statistician Nancy Flournoy, who, like Wynn, had a close professional connection with Ingram Olkin.
Ingram Olkin was an eminent scholar known for his pioneering work in statistical analysis for evaluating public policies, particularly in education. Beyond his scholarly contributions, Olkin was a steadfast advocate for civil rights and social justice. His research on combining results from independent studies revolutionized statistical methodology, impacting the behavioral, medical, and social sciences.
Henry Wynn’s work aligned with Olkin’s vision of applying rigorous statistical methods to real-world problems. His research in risk assessment and decision support provided valuable insights into engineering, environmental sustainability, and business analytics. Wynn’s contributions to the S3 Ingram Olkin Forums Committee helped further the mission of using statistical science for the betterment of society.
Personal Statement from David Banks, member of S3 Ingram Olkin Forums Committee:
“I first met Henry Wynn in 1986 when I was an Visiting Assistant Lecturer at Cambridge. He regularly attended the Royal Statistical Society Meetings, and we would all go out afterwards for a pint or dinner. I knew he was famous, but he was generous and kind to a shy new researcher. Much later, we interacted when Henry visited the Statistical and Applied Mathematical Sciences Institute. And some years after that, when one of the SAMSI staff retired, I took all the personnel out to dinner. The staff drank a lot of wine and trash-talked about all the headaches that eminent statisticians and mathematicians had caused them, but when Henry’s name was mentioned, they burbled about what a wonderful person he was. I sent Henry an email recounting their comments, which he shared with his wife “to show her how mistaken she was about him.” Aside from recent NISS Zoom calls, my last in-person interaction with Henry came when he was the keynote speaker at the International Society for Business and Industrial statistics. He mock danced with me when I introduced him, and then gave a brilliant talk. He was a warmly human person, who enriched our profession and the world. I am grateful to have known him.”
- David Banks, Department of Statistics at Duke University
Remembering a Distinguished Career
Henry Wynn’s passing is a significant loss to the statistical community. His expertise in statistical theory, optimization, and risk assessment left an indelible mark on academia and industry alike. His legacy continues through the institutions he shaped, the research he advanced, and the numerous students and colleagues he mentored.
NISS extends its deepest condolences to Wynn’s family, friends, and colleagues. His remarkable contributions to statistics and his dedication to applying statistical methods for the public good will continue to inspire future generations.