Robert R. Borchers

Robert R. Borchers died June 7 in Maui, Hawaii.  He was 82.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 4, 1936, he was a devoted husband and father, and was a renowned scientist for more than 50 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1962, both in physics.

He was appointed to the physics faculty at Wisconsin, Madison and subsequently was appointed associate dean for physical sciences, then director of the Physical Sciences Laboratory and then vice chancellor for academic affairs. While at Wisconsin, Madison he designed and installed a computer system to analyze nuclear physics data. In 1977, he was appointed vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

In 1979, he moved to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to become the technology and planning director of the magnetic fusion energy program. While at Livermore, he held a variety of leadership posts and was a founder of the annual supercomputing conferences.

In 1993, he was selected as the director of the Division of Advanced Scientific Computing at the National Science Foundation. After eight years in that role, he became the chief technology officer of the Maui High Performance Computing Center at the University of Hawaii.

Throughout his rcareer, he received honors and awards too numerous to mention. Some of the most significant include the W.H. Kieckhofer Distinguished Teaching Award from Wisconsin, Madison as well as National Science Foundation, Alfred P. Sloan and J.S. Guggenheim fellowships. He also was the winner of the University of Notre Dame's Centennial of Science Award and in 2000 won an award for meritorious executive service (Presidential Rank) for his work at the National Science Foundation.

Equally remarkable was his life outside his profession.  A devoted family man, he donated his time, talent and treasure to many charitable causes in every city where he lived, including serving as a volunteer webmaster to churches, foundations and other non-profit organizations. He enjoyed outdoor activities including bicycling, hiking and golf.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bridget  Borchers, and his parents, Robert. and Josephine Borchers. He is survived by his sisters, Judith Lee Borchers, Amy (Tom) Ewert; his children, Patrick  Borchers, Anne (Kent) Borchers Meyer, Robert (Beth) Borchers; his dear friend, Leila Keese; 12 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements are pending.