Paul T. Bateman, 93, of Urbana died December 26, 2012, at Carle Hospital.

He was born June 6, 1919, in Philadelphia, PA, a son of Harold and Anna Bateman. He married Felice Davidson 1948. She survives, along with a daughter Sarah E. (Sally) Bateman, also of Urbana.

Paul attended the University of Pennsylvania as an undergraduate and earned his Ph.D. there in 1946, after an interruption of four years for service as a conscientious objector.

After two year visits at Yale and at the Institute for Advanced Study, Paul came to the University of Illinois in 1950. He was a faculty member in the Mathematics Department until retiring in 1989, and he remained active until shortly before his death. He supervised Ph.D. dissertations of 20 students, wrote articles with 20 other mathematicians, and was a mentor to many talented young people.

Paul was department head for 15 years, a time of major expansion and faculty renewal. He raised the level of the whole department and was a major proponent of number theory at Illinois and throughout the nation. In addition, Paul and Felice were central figures in the social life of the U. of I. mathematics community, with lunches in the Illini Union, parties at their home, and many other gatherings.

In his 71 years of membership in the American Mathematical Society, Paul gave extensive service as an Associate Secretary and a member of the Board of Trustees and the Mathematical Reviews Committee. Much of this effort came during the time of his headship -- Paul had a great capacity for work.

Paul loved classical music and opera and he enjoyed such outdoor activities as yard work and exploring mountains on foot and back roads by car. The trips, usually connected with mathematics conferences, always included his family.

A memorial service will be held at the U. of I. Mathematics Department in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the Paul T. Bateman Fellowship Fund, c/o the University of Illinois Foundation.