Robert Charles Block

Background

Block, Robert Charles was born on February 11, 1929 in Newark. Son of George and Sue (Ehrenkranz) Block.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Newark College Engineering, 1950. Master of Arts in Physics, Columbia University, 1953. Doctor of Philosophy in Nuclear Physics, Duke University, 1956.

Career

Electrical engineer National Union Radio Corporation, West Orange, New Jersey, 1950-1951, Bendix Aviation Company, Teterboro, 1951. Physicist Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1955-1966. Professor nuclear engineering and science Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1966-1996, head department nuclear engineering and engineering physics, 1987-1993, associate dean engineering for academy and student affairs, 1993-1996, professor emeritus, since 1997.

Founder, vice president, treasurer Becker, Block & Harris Inc., 1981-1992. Founder, president Science Enterprise Group, LLC, since 2008. With Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, since 2009.

Visiting scientist Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, England, 1962-1963, American Institute Physics, 1961-1967. Visiting professor Kyoto (Japan) University, 1973-1974. Visiting physicist Brookhaven National Laboratory, 1975, member visiting committee nuclear energy department, 1982-1986.

Consultant General Electric, 1968-1979. Consultant, member nuclear cross section advisory committee Atomic Energy Commission, 1969-1972. Member United States Nuclear Data Committee, since 1974.

Member Cross Section Evaluation and Working Group, executive committee since 2003. Member National Research Council panel on low and medium energy neutrons, 1977. Director Gaerttner Linac Laboratory, 1976—2008.

Visiting faculty Sandia National Laboratory, 1986. Member advisory committee West Point Military Academy, since 2004. Member nuclear program advisory committee Los Alamos National Laboratory, since 2004.

Member faculty senate Rensselaer Polytech. Institute, 2003-2005.

Achievements

• Research on neutron physics, radiation effects in electronics, and radiation applications.

Membership

Fellow American Nuclear Society (Seaborg medal 2005). Member American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of University Professors, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, American Physical Society, Sigma Xi, Sigma Pi Sigma, Phi Beta Tau, Tau Beta Pi.

Connections

Married Rita Adler, June 28, 1952. Children: Keith, Robin.

Father:

George Block

Mother:

Sue (Ehrenkranz) Block

Spouse:

Rita Adler

child:

Robin Block

child:

Keith Block