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1944 - 2020

BORN

1944

DIED

2020

Adrian Roberts Obituary

Adrian Roberts
May 21, 1944 - October 12, 2020
Portland, Oregon - Adrian Roberts—scientist, manager, devoted husband and father, lover of chardonnay, opera and the football club Manchester United—passed away on October 12, 2020 at the age of 76 years.
For over 50 years, Adrian was pivotal in developing the technology life cycle—first as a scientist, then as an executive—in both public and private R&D organizations. He played a significant role in major scientific and technological advancements, including energy conservation and the remediation of nuclear waste.
Born in Norwich, England to working-class parents, Adrian earned a PhD in Metallurgy from the University of Manchester in 1968 before emigrating with his wife and two children to the United States. He came for a job at Argonne National Labs where his starting salary of $3,000 per year was touted in his hometown Chester's newspaper as "more that the Prime Minister makes!".
In 1975, he moved his family to California to join EPRI (the Electric Power Research Institute) where he worked on major energy projects across the U.S., Europe and Asia. In 1979, as an expert in materials used in nuclear reactors, Adrian was recruited to help contain the damage at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station. In 1985, Adrian joined Battelle where he served in a variety of upper management positions including interim laboratory director at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington.
Adrian served on the boards of numerous organizations, encouraging entrepreneurship in science and technology.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Susan, daughter Amanda, son Stephen, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

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Published by & from Oct. 17 to Oct. 18, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Adrian Roberts

15 Entries

Bevis Hutchinson

April 17, 2024

We were in the same undergraduate year at Manchester University in the Metallurgy Department. Adrian was the top student and a very kind person. I am researching for a talk at Manchester in June and came across this obituary. Very sorry for your loss.

Jim Young

October 11, 2023

Adrian was a colleague at PNNL and a good friend here in Oceanside after retirement!

T.B.

February 6, 2021

May God comfort and console you during this especially sad time. Please accept my sincere condolences, I am so sorry for your loss.

C. Novich

December 12, 2020

Adrian was a wonderful man with an irrepressible spirit and never-ending enthusiasm. A natural teacher and great writer. I enjoyed working with him and for him. Forever grateful for the experience.

Jim Young

October 19, 2020

Adrian was was an intelligent, kind, and inspiring friend. We both worked at PNNL and Battelle for many years, and then became neighbors in Oceanside after retirement. We will miss him.

Jim Young

October 19, 2020

Adrian was an intelligent, kind, and inspiring friend. We both worked at PNNL and Battelle for many years, and then we became neighbors in Oceanside. We are going to miss him.

Monty Rosbach

October 18, 2020

Although I worked with Adrian at PNNL, I became his friend as a neighbor in Oceanside Oregon. Adrian was a delightful individual and was a superb host. Enjoyed knowing Adrian.

Maryann Burningham

October 18, 2020

Dear Susan - I am so sorry to learn of your family’s loss. I remember Adrian from his days teaching at OGI, later discovering that you had settled in Oceanside to enjoy retirement. I’ll miss his energy, sharp sense of humor, and fondness for Gilbert and Sullivan.

Paul R. Newman

October 18, 2020

Adrian was a dear friend and a professional colleague. We worked together at the Oregon Graduate Institute, and later here in Tillamook on a biowaste recycling project. Always a source of professional advice and counsel... given with dry British humor, Adrian will be missed.

Jim Bixler

October 18, 2020

I worked for and with Adrian for a number of years at the Lab. And he was a friend as well. Always asking about our family. He was a classic. Thoughts and prayers go out to Susan and family.
Jim & Sharon Bixler

Roger and Sue Anderson

October 17, 2020

I had the exceptional privilege of working with Adrian on numerous projects for several years at Battelle and PNNL, culminating with a five-year resident assignment in the north of England. He taught me a great deal about business, management, strategy, partnerships and so much more. His well-researched insights, engaging personality and sense of humor drew clients and colleagues into lasting relationships. My wife Sue and I are blessed to have known Adrian, and he will be keenly missed.

Stephen Bruemmer

Planted Trees

Ray Wildung

October 16, 2020

It was a genuine pleasure to report to Adrian while he was a director at PNNL. A hallmark of his management was a unique coupling of positive reinforcement with incisive scientific insight in the context of client needs. All the best to his loved ones, Ray Wildung

Andrea McMakin

October 16, 2020

Adrian was a true humanitarian leader and one of my most admired people at PNNL. He had a way of making you want to do your best for whatever cause he was championing. The national lab system is all the better because of his influence.

Pat Lamberson

October 16, 2020

Dear Susan and Family - Adrian was both a scholar and a friend. I had the privilege of working with him for many years at PNNL. His "don't get your knickers in a twist" saying was legendary. RIP dear friend.

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