Beloved Dead: Abraham Nemeth

Chris Gray, MO Council of the Blind, released by the American Council of the Blind.



Fellow ACB Leaders and Members:



It is with a deep sense of personal and professional loss and sadness that I

report here the passing of Dr. Abraham Nemeth. Abe was without a doubt the

single greatest contributor to braille in the United States and perhaps the

world in the past hundred years. His contributions to the brailling of

science and mathematics are unmatched anywhere in the world.



I have known Abe since 1981 and throughout these years have had the pleasure

and privelege of working with him on many projects. His sharp wit, concern

for the needs of students, and commitment to providing the best possible

braille for its readers never waivered. He remained actively involve in

perfecting the Nemeth Uniform Braille System until days before his passing.

His mind remained agile and sharp. He told me about a month ago in a phone

conversation that he would love to go back into the classroom and had no

doubt that he had the mental capacity to do so. Based on our conversations

and correspondence, I have no doubt of it. Though in and out of the

hospital for some heart issues in the past month, he died at his home on

September

30 at age 94. I will miss him.



Abe leaves this world with our braille system in utter chaos. Bereft of any

intellectual leadership and moving in an inalterable course of

undecipherability and unreadability, he shared with many his deep concerns

about the course of braille in the United States today. He was an active

participant in the formation of the Alliance for Braille Literacy and worked

tirelessly on the Nemeth Uniform Braille System. Hopefully, these legacies

will ultimately lead to improvements and a modernization of our braille

system. Those of us committed to these projects will continue to work on

them in honor of Dr. Nemeth and, even more importantly, for the betterment

of blind students and adult learners who wish to excel in the fields of

science and mathematic (STEM).



Sincerely,



Chris





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Christopher Gray, Executive Director

Missouri Council of the Blind



5453 Chippewa

St. Louis, MO 63109

Phone: (314) 832-7172

Toll-free: (800) 342-5632

Fax: (314) 832-7796