Birth date: Jan 24, 1942 Death date: Nov 17, 2012
In lieu of flowers a memorial scholarship fund will be set up, please see UC Berkeley news release for information.http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/2012/11/21/robert-lin-uc-berkeley-pioneer-in-experimental-space-physics-dies-at-70/ Read Obituary
My deepest condolences. Bob was truly a wonderful person and friend.Bruce Tsurutani
Robert, as I called him since thatÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢s the name he went by as a child, started me on several of my lifelong hobbies and activities. One summer back in 1959, while I was in high school, I had a job in Los Angeles and therefore spent a lot of time with him and his family. We would play tennis together along with Rita, Jim, and T.H. every chance we had. Due to the constant playing, I credit them with the day my backhand finally Ã?¢ââ??¬Ã?â??clickedÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã? and became a real stroke. The other hobby he got me started on was the love of high fidelity sound and music. He introduced me to the Mercury Living Presence recording of the 1812 Overture, which was the big demonstration record at that time. After hearing it at ear splitting levels on a real 1959 hi-fi system (monaural) I became an audio nut which eventually led to my electrical engineering career. When Lois and I were married, 45 years ago, Robert was one of our ushers. During the ensuing time, we got together mainly at family reunions, as we pretty much went our separate ways, even though we lived relatively close together in the SF Bay Area. We spent some time together in the past few years discussing family investments and at some of his and our family weddings.It is so sad that his life ended so abruptly. We will all miss him.
Robert Lin was one of the kindest people I have ever met. I am Robert's 2nd cousin and came to Berkeley as a college student in the mid 80's. My parents really could not afford my college education. Not only Robert willingly helped me with my tuition, he would take me out for lunch whenever he went to a restaurant. Together with his wife Lily, Robert took me on as their little brother. They would take me anywhere they went and constantly asked if I needed anything.I remember after my first physics exam at Berkeley, I happened to see Robert outside the Berkeley Physics Library. I told Robert that I did not do as well as I had hoped. Robert simply said "don't worry about it. The important thing is to learn from the mistakes". In another instance, I was a summer student working at the Berkeley Space Science Lab, where Robert was working as a scientist. I could tell people there liked Robert very much. They told me that I was picked because I was doing well in my school work and they were really excited when they learned that I was RobertÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢s cousin. Many of them told me they were very impressed with RobertÃ?¢ââ??¬Ã?Å?s kindness. While at the Space Science lab, I came to know a few of RobertÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢s graduate students. They all seemed quite happy. Thinking back, it meant that they must be quite happy working for Robert.In my first summer working at the Space Science Lab, one of my computer programs had an error which consumed much processing power and caused one of RobertÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢s important programs to run much slower over the weekend so it could not finish what Robert had expected. Robert figured out the cause. He was not upset with me at all. Instead, he simply asked me if it was OK to stop my program. In 2006, Robert was elected to the National Academy of Science. I had the fortune to go to DC for the ceremony. Not once did Robert tell me what scientific achievements he has had. Instead, when we met someone he would often tell me what achievements they had. I could tell Robert had a great respect to others while being completely modest about himself.Throughout my extensive interaction with Robert over 30 years, he was always kind and sincere. Not once did I see him lose his temper or said a single unkind word about anyone. Whenever anyone needed help, Robert was always there.Our world has lost one of its shining lights with RobertÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢s untimely passing. I miss him very much and he will always live in my heart. Boyang Lin
I remember summers together when we went to L.A. when we were all very young. You and Paul would play tennis; we would all go to the beach; Rita would bake lemon meringue pie. Then, in Berkeley, there were always 'sightings' of you, Robert, at Chinese restaurants late at night. I think China Station was one of your favorites after a long day at work.You will be sorely missed. It wasn't time for you to go but life isn't always fair. Just know that we all have very fond memories of you.
