Charles Jeffries Bangert

Charles Jeffries Bangert was born in 1938 Fargo, North Dakota. He was the only son of Harold Wallace Bangert and Mary Katherine Jeffries Bangert

Jeff attended Harvard College majoring in mathematics, 1955- 1959; studied printmaking at the Chicago Art Institute, 1959; earned a BA in mathematics and studio art from the University of North Dakota, 1961; and did graduate work in mathematics and statistics at the University of Kansas, 1965 – 1970.

He was a computer programmer, consultant, supervisor, specialist, and statistician for the Academic Computing Services of the University of Kansas from 1965 to 2000 when he retired. His fields of major interest were computer graphics, computer art, micro computing, quality programming, data analysis, and applications in the behavioral sciences. He co-authored books and articles. He served the University of Kansas faculty and staff in education as well as the behavioral, social and political sciences. He showed people how to use the computer to help other people.

He and his artist wife Colette Stuebe Bangert married in 1959. They were early pioneers collaborating in creating algorithmic computer art earning an international reputation. Their drawings and digital prints were a result of Jeff’s written software. The software and collaboration provided feedback furthering Colette’s hand work even as her hand work fed their collaborative digital drawings and prints. He lectured extensively on computer art and their art was seen and also exhibited throughout the world. Their computer art has been collected in depth by the Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas in Lawrence; the Block Art Museum, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois; and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England. Since the mid 1990’s Jeff developed many web sites featuring his and Colette’s ideas and work.

He was a member of the Association of Computing Machinery, the Spencer Museum of Art in Lawrence, and Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence where he taught an adult Bible Study in Depth class every Sunday morning for 26 years and for many years sang in the Trinity Choir.

He is survived by Colette Stuebe Bangert, and many very beloved friends; and cousins Jane Bachler, Jane Dyson, Star Bachler, Rebecca Willis, Charles Schultz, John Schultz, and Richard Schultz.

Memorial services for Jeff will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1011 Vermont Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

Memorials may be sent to Trinity Episcopal Church or Spencer Museum of Art in Lawrence, Kansas and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.

8 Condolences

  1. Kirk and Jeannie McClure on January 30, 2019 at 11:08 am

    Colette – Jeff will be missed around the neighborhood and beyond. If we were in front of our home, he would stop and talk for a few minutes while he was on his daily walks. These encounters were always fun because Jeff always had a cheerful word or two to offer. Jeff helped countless people who came through the University of Kansas adapt to changing technology. He understood that we needed “hands on” personal training to learn how to use new computing tools. His help was always beneficial and appreciated. You have our sympathies for your loss.



  2. Clenece and Jim Hills on January 30, 2019 at 11:59 am

    Dear Colette, Jim and I extend our respect and admiration for the lively life of Jeff Bangert. He was a renaissance man with interests in so many fields of study. I have always admired the two of you as artful partners who have made wonderful contributions to our world. Jeff will be missed, but he truly made his mark on earth.



  3. Melany Mayuiers on January 31, 2019 at 8:18 am

    Dear Colette,
    I am grateful to have been touched in my life by both you and Jeff. Jeff was so very interesting and intelligent and also so generous and kind that I always appreciated the times our lives intersected. He is fondly remembered. Sending my love.
    Melany



  4. Bill Klein on January 31, 2019 at 11:19 am

    I was a contemporary of Jeff’s for many years in KU’s Academic Computing Services. At one point in his computer generated art work he needed to “see” the actual data being output by his algorithms, and I applied our network monitoring tools to enable him to do so. It turned out to be so helpful that he was reluctant to give them back, but it was gratifying to me that they could help in his very interesting work. Jeff was a good man in so many ways, and our world is diminished by his absence.



  5. A. Rodriguez on January 31, 2019 at 12:01 pm

    Please accept my deepest and heartfelt sympathy. I am so sorry for your loss. Being a spiritual man, I’m sure he was familiar with the scripture at Isaiah 61:1,2 where we are told that God binds up the broken hearted and comforts all who mourn, I pray that he do that for your family during this especially difficult time.
    Sincerely,
    A. Rodriguez



  6. David Stuebe on February 1, 2019 at 3:52 pm

    Jeff was the cool Uncle that always had something important to say and make you think. He made his mark and will be missed



  7. Rebecca Willis on February 3, 2019 at 12:28 pm

    As young children our favorite game was to try to keep a straight face despite the other’s attempts to make you laugh. Shared laughter is my first though when thinking of Jeff. Through the years even with long gaps between our visits we could always sit down and share as though we had seen each other the day before. And we shared interests in math, art, computers, music, Chinese cooking – it is a long list. He holds a very special place in my heart. I send my love to you Colette.



  8. Ione Angilan on February 4, 2019 at 10:04 pm

    I have known you and Jeff primarily through your art. I have always felt privileged watching you both grow and evolve.



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