Robert Sewall Blewer

Robert Sewall Blewer, 79, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Monday, December 31st, 2018, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on September 10th, 1939, to Edwin L. and Mildred Sewall Blewer. He was a dearly loved husband, father, grandfather, friend, and colleague to many. He deeply loved the Lord, never wavered from his strong convictions about God’s love and purpose, and shared those convictions with many through the years and especially over the last few years and even final months of his life.

Bob graduated with a degree in physics from Louisiana State University in 1961, followed by a Masters Degree and PhD in Low Temperature and Solid State Physics in 1966, being the fourth in departmental history to qualify for a direct PhD. While an undergraduate at LSU, he was President of the College of Chemistry and Physics and Vice President of his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, as well as a member of several honorary societies, including Omicron Delta Kappa, for which he later served as president during his graduate studies. He was a member of Scabbard and Blade, a Regimental Executive Officer, and a Distinguished Military Graduate. Following completion of his PhD, Bob served two years of active duty as a Captain in the U.S. Army at the R & D Laboratories, U.S. Army Electronics Command, Fort Monmouth, NJ.

After fulfilling his military service, Bob took a job as a physicist at Sandia National Laboratories in 1969, where he had a career spanning over 39 years. He was most proud of the following achievements: (1) In 1977, he had a year-long assignment as a Guest Scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, outside Munich, West Germany, to share and expand his research in magnetic fusion. (2) In 1984, he co-founded the International Advanced Metallization Conference, which ran for over 30 years, and spawned a sister conference in Japan which continues today, all in connection with his research on the use of tungsten and other metals in the fabrication and interconnection of smaller and faster integrated circuits (part of the Moore’s Law movement leading to the explosion of computing power and new technologies). He holds two patents for his work in this area. (3) In 1991, he was appointed a Distinguished Professor, University of New Mexico, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (a joint program with Sandia), where he taught graduate seminars for many years. (4) In 1998, he led the successful Sandia effort to secure the first ever license for the Intel Pentium Processor design, in order to adapt it for radiation hardened applications in satellites, space vehicles, and defense systems for NASA and the Department of Defense. As Deputy Director of Industrial Partnerships and Strategies, a role created for him, he was instrumental in developing a number of new strategic partnerships and cooperative R&D relationships for Sandia. (5) Also in 1998, he received the Semiconductor International Award for the Advancement of Semiconductor Technology, for “pioneering research in the use of tungsten for wiring in advanced computer chip manufacturing.”

After retirement from Sandia in 2008, he appeared as an expert witness in a patent infringement case, as “the world’s foremost authorities on tungsten metallization processes.” The Respondent semiconductor manufacturer and 23 other Co-Respondents prevailed, and went on to successfully sue the Complainant and two of its customer companies for patent infringement. Bob authored or coauthored more than 100 scientific articles, and served as Editor of three books.

Bob was blessed to meet his wife Cherry in 1994. They enjoyed a wonderful adventure of over 22 years together, cultivating lifelong friendships, traveling extensively, and enjoying their children, and then grandchildren, together.

Bob loved his time at Touisset Point, Rhode Island, where he spent his summers growing up, and where he and Cherry have continued to foster friendships and memories, along with a love of sailing and the ocean, all of which he has passed on to his children and grandchildren, and which will endure well beyond him. The Jemez Mountains were also a special place for Bob. He learned to ski when he moved to New Mexico in his early 30’s, embracing it wholeheartedly and later teaching both daughters to ski.

He had a passion for antique maps and tools, as well as for family history, and enjoyed researching his “Sewall” roots. He was an avid punster. He loved to try all kinds of food and encourage others to try it with him. He adored his children and his grandchildren, spending time with them whenever and wherever he could.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cherry Sue Clemmer Blewer; his two daughters: Holly Blewer Farmer and husband Jeff of Denver, CO, and Erica Blewer Bramer and husband Michael of Coppell, TX; his step-daughter Shanna Clemmer Palmer and husband Rick of Frisco, TX, and step-son Grantt William Clemmer and wife Erica Downing-Clemmer of Albuquerque; and eight beloved grandchildren: Avery-Estelle and Daniel Farmer; Grace, Ainsley, and Ryan Bramer; Reagan Palmer; and Jordan and Kendall Downing. He also leaves his twin sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Blewer Carroll of Columbia, MD, and also two sisters-in-law, two nephews, three nieces, and their families, including a grand-nephew, Robert Sewall Blewer, who is named after him. He was preceded in death by his older brothers John R. Blewer of Plano, TX and Owensboro, KY, and Edwin L. Blewer, Jr., of Shreveport, LA.

Bob’s family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Morningstar Assisted Living of Albuquerque for their loving care of and friendship with Bob and his entire family.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 12th, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. at Hoffmantown Church, 8888 Harper Road N.E., with reception following and interment thereafter at Sunset Memorial Park. Donations in Bob’s memory may be made to: Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter, P.O. Box 21400, Albuquerque, NM 87154 or to The Navigators, P.O. Box 6079 Albert Lea, MN 56007.