Harvard University Mathematician Killed By Falling Construction Crane In New York City

David Wichs, right, with wife Rebecca

[From article]
The 38-year-old Upper West Sider killed Friday when a massive crane fell on him was a bright, Harvard-trained math whiz, a family member said.
David Wichs’ sister-in-law, Lisa Guttman, described her loved one as “the most brilliant person ever,” adding that he was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, and immigrated to the United States as a teenager.
He seized every chance he had to get ahead and graduated from Harvard University, where he majored in mathematics.
“He really created a life for himself,” Guttman said through tears. “He literally took every opportunity he could find.”
Wichs died instantly when the 565-foot crane came crashing down on him as he stood on Worth Street. He was working at the New York-based financial trading firm Tower Research Capital.
Wichs lived with his wife, Rebecca Guttman, on West 81st Street. They wed in 2013, according to records, and Guttman is currently an associate at the international law firm Proskauer Rose LLP.
She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004 before attending the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, her LinkedIn page shows.
[. . .]
While at Harvard, Wichs co-chaired a men’s group that was part of the campus Hillel, a Jewish organization for college students.
“The Men’s Group is informal . . . a bunch of friends that do things together,” he said during an interview with The Harvard Crimson in 1998.
“It’s good for the kids who participate . . . people don’t have to feel awkward about their upbringing.”
Wichs and his wife were members of Kehilath Jeshurun, a modern Orthodox congregation on the Upper East Side, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
He was a donor to several charities, including Avodah, Mazon and Teach for America, the agency ­reported.

http://nypost.com/2016/02/05/math-whiz-killed-in-crane-collapse-was-an-absolute-angel/

Math whiz killed in crane collapse was ‘an absolute angel’
By Kevin Fasick, Shawn Cohen and Danika Fears
New York Post

February 5, 2016 | 11:28pm

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http://nypost.com/2016/02/06/operator-kept-fatal-crane-collapse-from-being-much-worse/

Operator kept fatal crane collapse from being much worse
By Jamie Schram and Laura Italiano
February 6, 2016 | 5:22pm
New York Post


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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3433589/Two-injured-construction-crane-collapses-lower-Manhattan.html

Cops question driver 'with a history of DUIs' over massive New York City crane collapse that killed married Harvard-grad trader, 38, on his way to work
Crane at 57 Worth Street, near Church and West Broadway in Tribeca, lower Manhattan collapsed at 8:24am
Prague-born, Harvard graduate David Wichs, 38, died; at least three more were injured, including one firefighter
Last night friends paid tribute to Wichs, including the family rabbi who said: 'He was an angel, an absolute angel'
The crane had a permit to move generators and air conditioning units at 60 Hudson Street and was parked on Worth
Authorities were lowering the crane to secure it; cell phone footage captures moment the crane breaks and crashes
Gas and water leaks have been reported in the area and ConEdison is on the scene monitoring every 15 minutes
See more news and coverage from New York at www.dailymail.co.uk/nyc
By JESSICA CHIA FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 09:09 EST, 5 February 2016 | UPDATED: 00:51 EST, 6 February 2016