Jaak Vilms, of Chestnut Hill, Mass., died at age 84 on July 28, after a short illness.

Jaak was born in Viljandi, Estonia, to Albert and Else Vilms. His family came to the United States following the Second World War. Jaak graduated from Bridgeton (NJ) High School; Dickinson College, at the top of his class; and Columbia University, with a doctorate in mathematics. He enjoyed a long career as a professor of mathematics, mainly at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. His published research was in the area of differential geometry.

Jaak had a keen interest in languages and nationalities, and made it a point to learn about the family background of everyone he met. While living in Colorado he became an avid skier, and for several years after retirement he managed to hit the milestone of a hundred days a year on the slopes. He also gained some local renown as an early aficionado of craft beers. After moving to the Boston area, Jaak was proud to serve as chauffeur for his grandchildren, thereby becoming well-known to their teachers and their friends’ parents. He will be greatly missed by all.

Jaak is survived by his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Liia; son Andres and his wife Michelle and their children Jonathan and Allison; son Thomas and his wife Sarah; his younger brother Peeter and his wife Joan; sister-in-law Kamal with her daughter Dinaz Harmon and her son Rohan; and his cousins Eevi Truumees and Mai Hallingby Harrison. He was predeceased by his twin brother Juri.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m., August 21, at the Eaton & Mackay Funeral Home, 465 Centre St., Newton; visiting hours will be 2-4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jaak Vilms can be made to the Estonian American National Council (EANC) at https://www.estosite.org/donate/. Please add a note that the donation is in honor of Jaak Vilms, for the benefit of the Estonian Children’s Camp, Middle Island, N.Y.