accessible to the university community. According to the professor, his greatest desire was to transmit mathematical knowledge at all costs, which Colombia lacked in those years. Iván Castro Chadid, a close colleague of Takeuchi, remembers: Actually, this was what he did with his publications as he himself stated: "I wrote texts for everyone, seeking the popularization of mathematics." Usually, these books were made up of 60 paragraphs, so that each paragraph corresponds to a one-hour lesson, adapted to the teaching of a subject over a whole semester. The criterion that guided him, according to his own words, was the following: "Today, when time seems to be getting shorter and research fields are becoming ever larger, practical books that are economically within everyone's reach, of good academic level, and with topics selected with the future in mind, that truly help the student, are necessary. I present texts that meet these conditions and needs." Recognitions Among the most important distinctions received by Professor Takeuchi are the following: Emeritus Professor of the National University of Colombia in 1979 Honorary Professor of the Javeriana University in 1985 Honorary Professor of the National University of Colombia in 1995 Honorary Professor of the Universidad Popular del Cesar in 1996 In 2008, Takeuchi was awarded the Medal of the Order of San Carlos and the Medal of the Order of the Sacred Treasure by Colombia and Japan respectively, for his achievements in mathematical education. In 2010, he became a Colombian national. References 1927 births 2014 deaths Colombian scientists Japanese scientists