When Professor Richard Bellman passed away in March of 1984, he left behind a multitude of scientists and mathematicians, from a variegated complex of disciplines, cultures and national origins to continue his work. His numerous writings meticulously documented in a special issue of this journal by Adomian and Lee [1] had inspired and will continue to motivate many researchers. His contributions to many disciplines have also been appropriately highlighted. A few examples include Adomian and Esogbue [2] for his impact on management science and operations research; Esogbue [3] for his pioneering efforts in fuzzy sets or the mathematics and science of imprecision and vagueness; The Institute [4] for his contributions to and leadership in control theory.
The foregoing paltry and disparate efforts are considered important in the perseverance of the important works of a truly great and world renowned mathematician, scientist and engineer. Out of the quest for a living and organic mechanism to systematically continue and develop his infectious ideas was born the "Bellman Continuum". This is a group of researchers touched directly and indirectly by Bellman during his rather brief but scientifically productive and successful life. It is however, more than a group of researchers; it is also a powerful idea and a mission.
The idea of the workshop was originally envisioned to be "interdisciplinary in nature with topics defined by the interests of the participants. The unifying theme will include scientific ideology and mathematical tools rather than specific fields of study. Biology, economics, engineering, management science, mathematics, medicine, physics, etc. are all possible areas of interest."
The first Bellman Continuum organized by Nina Bellman and Semyon Meerkov was hosted by the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in May 1985. The focus was on exposition and exchange of ideas spurred by the participants' contacts and interactions with Bellman as students, colleagues and friends. Some of the contributions to that workshop formed the rubric of Bellman Memorial Issues of the Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications [5] and Computers & Mathematics with Applications [1]. The Second Bellman Continuum was convened by me and hosted by the