Robert W. Bussard

bussarD Dr. ROBERT W. BUSSARD Dr. Robert W. Bussard died at his home in Santa Fe, NM on October 6, 2007. Inventor, entrepreneur and author, he was the originator of the Interstellar Ramjet as known on Star Trek as the Bussard Collector. A fixture in Science Fiction literature, the Ramjet continues to be the only method known with the possible capability to propel humankind to the stars. Dr. Bussard was also instrumental in developing the nuclear rocket program at Los Alamos National Lab in the 1950's and 60's. At his death, Dr. Bussard was the President and CEO of Energy Matter Conversion Corporation (EMC2), a company he co-founded with his wife, Dolly H. Gray, to pursue his unique and patented concept to develop practical fusion power. The project will continue. He was a Fellow of both the International Academy of Astronautics and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a member of the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC. Dr. Bussard loved sailing and captained his sailboat "Uproarious" twice in the Trans-Pacific Yacht Race as one of the oldest people ever to do so. A man of great intellect and vision, Dr. Bussard by example, influenced many people around the world and has left a peerless legacy. He is survived by his wife, four children and five grandchildren. The family has requested that those who wish to make a donation in his memory to the Red Cloud Indian School. Services were pereviously held. Peace, Doc.