Professor Emeritus William Topp, a mathematician who helped establish computer science at University of the Pacific and was a central figure on campus and in the community for more than 50 years, died Nov. 26. He was 86.

After earning his Ph.D. from University of Washington in 1968 and teaching for several years at Marquette University, Topp joined the faculty at Pacific in 1970, teaching and writing for the next 44 years. Topp, who also served as chair of math and computer science, created the computer science degree programs at Pacific with colleague Bill Ford.

A winner of the Order of Pacific – the university’s highest honor – Topp remained active even after his retirement in 2014, serving as a catalyst for the Pacific Emeriti Society.

"Bill Topp was a wonderful Pacifican, first as a faculty member and then as a longtime leader of the Emeriti Society,” said Professor Emeritus Bob Hanyak ’79, “Bill devoted his life to lifting others up through his unwavering commitment to the university and the Stockton community. His generosity and leadership touched many lives.”

Topp was known for his academic ingenuity and forward thinking. His influence at Pacific was felt through his academic contributions, as well as his dedication to supporting students. In 2024, he received the Pacific Alumni Association’s Faculty Mentor Award.

“Dr. Topp was an exemplary professor at Pacific. He embodied great energy, which he shared with his students,” said Lori Wrath ’85, one of Topp’s former students. “During my years at Pacific (1981-85), the computer science major was still in its infancy and part of the Department of Math in College of the Pacific. Dr. Topp infused classes with his teaching passion.”

Topp and his late wife, Joan, were active parishioners of Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton and he was on the board of St. Mary’s Dining Room, a nonprofit that provides meals and social services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty.

Topp continued to make an impact at Pacific after his years of active teaching and research. He led the Emeriti Society and other supporters to contribute to the Pacific Student Emergency Fund for Pacific Gives, the university’s annual day of giving, ensuring that students facing unforeseen financial crises receive timely assistance to continue their education without disruption.

Reflecting on his motivation to spearhead the initiative, Topp emphasized in an interview what it meant to support students as a member of the Emeriti Society:

"We wanted to support the university collectively as a society. Emeriti love students, and sometimes students need a hand. We quickly realized that wanting to support students was the common attribute that every emeritus has."

Topp became an active member of the Emeriti Society since the moment he retired. He and Doris Meyer, professor emerita for women’s athletics and teacher education, updated the original historical documents of the society, creating a second edition. In addition, Topp developed the Emeriti Society website, researched and updated the memorial page and served as the emcee for Emeriti Society events.

“He did anything and everything to help people,” Meyer said. “The willingness to help people was part of who he was. That was his personality. The spokesman for the organization is what he truly was. He had a heart of gold.”

President Christopher Callahan worked closely with Topp in his role in the Emeriti Society.

“Bill lit up every room he entered,” the president said. “He was kind and generous, with a smile that made everyone feel welcomed. And he was such a driving force behind our amazingly active and engaged Emeriti Society. I will miss his leadership, and his friendship.”

Topp’s outstanding contributions to the university over the years will continue thanks to his generosity. Earlier this year, he made a significant gift to endow the Bill and Joan Topp Innovation Fund in the School of Engineering and Computer Science.

The Topp Endowment is intended "to support the enhancement of technology and learning resources to help advance educational opportunities for students with the ultimate goal to keep the school’s pedagogy at the leading edge of the industry's technology,” said Scott Biedermann ’05, ’20, vice president for development and alumni relations.

Topp also joined the Heritage Society this year with a generous estate commitment to Pacific, which will enhance the Topp Endowment and provide significant support for the Pacific Emergency Fund. The society recognizes those who have included Pacific in their estate plans.

He is survived by his son David, daughter-in-law Moira and granddaughter Katie.

Gifts in his memory can be made to the Bill and Joan Topp Innovation Fund or by contacting Scott Biedermann at 209.946.2166 or sbiedermann@pacific.edu.

Read more about Topp in an oral history interview conducted in 2018 on Pacific’s Scholarly Commons.