Richard Laver (October 20, 1942 -- September 19, 2012). Richard Joseph Laver, celebrated mathematician, climber, bridge player, chess master, pick-up basketball player, and friend was born in Los Angeles, California to Alma Laver Makinen and Richard Burgess Laver. Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 2:52 in the morning in Boulder, Colorado, Rich passed away due to complications of Parkinson's disease. He was surrounded by loved ones.