Robert Thomas Bate

It might have seemed like an inauspicious childhood. Mediocre school grades were accompanied by shared adventures in chemistry gone awry with his twin brother, Richard, that frequently looked more like vandalism than science. But the keen mind behind these early experiments led him to a quest to learn more about the world using the powerful tools of logic, science and mathematics, starting with education at the University of Colorado and at Ohio State University, resulting in a masters degree in physics.

At Battelle Memorial Research Institute and later at the Central Research Laboratories at Texas Instruments, Bob studied the properties of various semiconductor materials, including silicon, the workhorse of TI’s integrated circuit business, gallium arsenide, mercury cadmium telluride, and other more exotic compounds. His work provided critical insight that led to the expanded study of nanometer semiconductor structures and revolutionary circuit architectures.

Under Bob’s leadership, TI pioneered the advancement of this technology in order to exploit quantum size effects in developing a new generation of ultra-dense integrated circuits. To quote a former colleague, “The present field of "nanotechnology" would probably not have happened when it did if not for Bob - his emphasis on nanoelectronics was recognized worldwide.” His basic research laid the foundation for many of the technological advances we enjoy today and for future developments that are yet unknown. As a result of his groundbreaking work, Bob was elected TI Fellow and a Fellow of the American Physical Society. Business Week Magazine featured him as one of the Ten Top U.S. Scientist Innovators in 1989. Bob has been recognized as the father of nanoelectronics. He authored more than 60 scientific publications and holds 19 patents.

Future-altering professional accomplishments were not the only marks that Bob left on the world. Married to his loving, supportive wife, Helen, for 60 years, “Big Daddy” was a model of intelligence, gentleness, compassion, patience and insight for his 5 children, Donna Kinney, Barbara Wortham, Susan Moore, Richard Bate and Beverly Bates, plus 11 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren, all of whom carry his legacy in unique ways. Bob is survived by his twin brother Richard Bate of Colorado. All who knew Bob were enriched by this wonderful man. He will be remembered with love and affection.

Children:

Donna Kinney and her husband Vic

Barbara Wortham and her husband Larry

Susan Moore

Richard Bate and his wife Lisa

Beverly Bates and her husband Brent

Grandchildren:

Laura Drake and her husband Brian

Katelyn Kinney

Tom Wortham and his wife Blanca

Mark Wortham

Steve Wortham

Renee Moore

Sarah Parr and her husband Colin

Miles Bate and his wife Jordan

Whitney Nelson and her husband Kevin

Kelsey Bates

Kendall Bates

Great Grandchildren:

Mira Drake

Ellowyn Drake

Dylan Wortham

Taylor Wortham

Zoe Parr

Jude Parr

Cort Parr