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Krzysztof "Kris" Galicki was a professor who lived and breathed math. Even some of his jokes included equations.

Sometimes his statistical wit would go over other people's heads.

"That's the way it was with mathematicians," said Charles Boyer, a longtime friend and fellow math professor.

Galicki, a professor of mathematics and statistics at the University of New Mexico, died Monday after a hiking accident in July in the Swiss Alps landed him in a coma. He was 49 years old.

Galicki was born in Poland in 1958. He came to the United States in 1984 to complete his Ph.D. in physics.

Alejandro Aceves, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, said Galicki came to UNM in 1999. Galicki started as an assistant professor and moved through the ranks to become a full professor.

Galicki was working with a branch of mathematics that developed from the theory of relativity.

Aceves said Galicki made important contributions to the department through his efforts to bring UNM's research to Europe.

Galicki's excitement about his profession reflected in his work, said his colleagues.

"He was very passionate about math," said Boyer. "He enjoyed talking about math and doing research about teaching math."

Boyer said one of the most memorable moments he shared with Galicki was the time they spent writing a book together, "Sasakian Geometry," which is set to come out at the end of this year.

Publishing their first book was a great accomplishment, Boyer said.

"He (Galicki) was eager for it to come out. Unfortunately, he won't see that," Boyer said.

Galicki and Boyer also wrote about 30 academic papers together.

Rowan Wymark, Galicki's wife and a special education teacher in Albuquerque, said her husband was a brilliant teacher and an adventurous person.

"He was a man who loved mathematics and hiking in equal passion. He never gave up on doing things. He always wanted to accomplish anything he wanted to do," she said.

Aceves said Galicki will always be remembered in the department as a proficient professor.

"I consider him a true professional in the sense that he excelled as a researcher and a teacher," he said. "He took both professions seriously and he did it very well."