Clark prof hit by train called brilliant, versatile.

Byline: Shaun Sutner

A 53-year-old Clark University mathematics and computer science professor who was struck by a commuter train and killed in Lincoln earlier this week was a brilliant researcher and versatile instructor, Clark officials said.

Arthur Chou, of Wayland, was walking at 8:25 p.m. Wednesday on the tracks near the Concord town line and Walden Pond when he was struck by an outbound train on the Boston-Fitchburg line, according to Lydia Rivera, a spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

The incident, which is under investigation by MBTA police, shut down the line for a few hours and passengers were rerouted by bus, Ms. Rivera said.

Mr. Chou, a native of Taiwan, leaves a wife and two college-age sons.

He came to Clark in 1982 as a mathematics specialist and soon branched out and distinguished himself in Worcester as a cutting-edge researcher in computer science, specializing in topical complexity, said Clark Provost David P. Angel.

Mr. Chou also did work in bioinformatics, using mathematics and computer science to try to solve social problems such as environmental contamination and deadly diseases such as the HIV, the AIDS virus.

As a teacher, he led classes in calculus, computer science, bioinformatics and other topics, Mr. Angel said.

"He could teach a wide range of subjects," Mr. Angel said. "We are devastated by this. This is a big loss for us."

At Clark, Mr. Chou served on the College Board, and the faculty review and admissions and financial aid committees. He also spearheaded the development of a new computer science laboratory.

"He was a key player in developing within the Mathematics Department a strong program in computer science," John Bassett, Clark president, said. "He will be missed."

Contact Shaun Sutner by e-mail at [e-mail].