Legendary Rice professor Richard Tapia, a tireless advocate for Latinos, dies

Fittingly, Houston’s Ship Channel bridge was renamed in honor of distinguished Rice University professor Richard Tapia last March. The pioneering mathematician who died on Friday at 88 years old devoted most of his life to serving as a key bridge between some of the brightest in underrepresented communities and excellence in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.

For more than 50 years as a professor at the Southwest’s most prestigious academic institution, Tapia recruited, advocated for and mentored students interested in careers in STEM.

He taught and mentored generations of Rice students. His legacy and impact extended far beyond Rice’s beautiful, tree-lined campus on South Main. The Tapia Center that he founded holds annual summer residential camps for K-12 students from underrepresented groups in STEM fields.

Quite simply, the legendary Mexican American professor was one of the most important academic figures in Texas over the last 50 years. If not ever.

‘A giant’

“Dr. Richard Tapia was a giant in his field, but he stood even taller in the eyes of his students, his faculty colleagues and his community,” said Texas State Senator Carol Alvarado. “A tireless advocate for diversity and representation in STEM fields, his impact on generations of young scholars is incalculable. Houston is better off today for his decades of tireless contributions.”

Tapia, the son of Mexican immigrants, was born in Santa Monica, Calif. He was the first in his family to attend college when he enrolled at UCLA. He graduated with his bachelor’s, master’s and PhD from Rice.

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Richard Tapia arrived in Houston in 1970 as an assistant professor of mathematical sciences at Rice. He never left although his contributions to mathematics and engineering extended throughout the country and abroad. Six years after he arrived at Rice, Tapia was promoted to full professor. Then in 1978 he was promoted to chair Rice’s department of computational and applied mathematics. He held that post until 1983.

Tapia also served as adjunct faculty at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Houston during his time at Rice. 

‘Shaped the trajectory of Rice’

“There are a handful of people that have truly shaped the trajectory of Rice University in our nearly 115-year history. Richard Tapia was one of them,” Rice president Reginald DesRoches said in a statement Saturday. “Richard’s influence at Rice extends beyond his academic contributions as a world-renowned mathematician, encompassing diversity, advocacy, mentorship and incredible leadership.

“He was truly a pioneering figure in computational mathematics and a champion for expanding access to science and engineering education.” 

Tapia made history in 1992 as the first Latino elected to the National Academy of Engineering. He was honored by two U.S. Presidents, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. 

Obama presented Tapia with the National Medal of Science in 2011 at the White House. Clinton recognized Tapia by naming him to the National Science Board in 1996. The National Science Foundation’s inaugural Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring is one of many national awards Tapia received during his lifetime.

Although the STEM field was his main focus, Tapia also helped welcome all Latino students and professors to Rice University over his career. 

Richard Tapia inspired generations

“Richard Tapia worked tirelessly to champion the Hispanic community,” former Rice professor David Medina said. “His influence extended far beyond the hedges and resonated throughout higher education. Tapia helped countless people, including me, by guiding us and inspiring us to pursue our dreams.” 

Dr. Tapia was widely respected by his colleagues at Rice University, including Dr. Peter Rodriguez, who led Rice’s School of Business from 2016 until he was named president of Wake Forest University this week.

“For more than 50 years, Dr. Tapia has been both a world class, nationally recognized mathematician and an incredibly impactful pioneer for the advancement of Latinos in science and higher education,” Rodriguez said. “Someone who is both a National Medal of Science winner and a tireless community advocate is not just rare, it’s unique. Richard was a giant among us. We are all indebted to him.”

Tapia took great pride in the Tapia Center, which has helped mentor more than 1,000 children grades eighth through 12th during summer camps devoted to STEM education.

‘Changed the face of STEM education’ 

“Dr. Richard A. Tapia changed the face of STEM education as ‘the Lion’ of underrepresented communities,” former Exxon executive Nicolás Medina, the chair of the Tapia Center board of advisors, said. “We will miss his indefatigable ‘roar’ to increase the number of minority students and women entering and succeeding in STEM, insisting that ‘yes we can’ and ‘yes we belong.’ 

“The Tapia Center at Rice University is committed to keeping his legacy alive: STEM is for everyone.” 

The bridge Tapia built throughout his lifetime has helped countless folks at Rice University and beyond. It takes mathematicians and engineers to build a bridge as critical as the Dr. Richard Tapia Bridge at Houston’s Ship Channel. For many in underrepresented groups, Tapia also served as the crucial bridge for them to capitalize on their potential in math, science, engineering and education