Robert K. Brayton

1933 - 2025

Robert K. Brayton
10/23/1933 - 01/10/2025
Professor Emeritus, University of California at Berkeley.
Robert King Brayton died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on January 10, 2025. Bob was born in Des Moines, Iowa on Oct. 23, 1933 to Sue Dade and Eldred Lee (Mike) Brayton.
Bob's early years were in Humboldt, Iowa, before moving to Ames, the home of Iowa State University. He attended college there and was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity where he formed lifelong friendships, before moving on to graduate school at MIT. There he worked under Professor Norman Levinson, attaining his PhD in mathematics in 1961.
Bob's career began at the IBM TJ Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, N.Y., where he spent 25 years as a Research Mathematician. He collaborated with many visiting faculty and graduate students during the summer months. In 1987, he joined the Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Department at U.C. Berkeley where he remained active for 37 years as a Professor, teaching and mentoring graduate students. He valued his collaboration with academic and post-doctoral colleagues very highly. He became one of the pioneers in logic synthesis and verification.
Bob was known for his inquisitive mind, his easy going collaborative mode of teaching and his warm interactions with all those with whom he associated. In his early years at Berkeley he thoroughly enjoyed challenging the graduate students in vigorous games of tennis.
Bob Brayton is the recipient of numerous prestigious honors at his alma mater, Iowa State University (Marston medal and Lifetime Achievement) and numerous other awards, both national and international. Among the former is the Phil Kaufman Award in 2007. He received the EDAA Lifetime Achievement award and is a fellow of the IEEE. He has authored 11 books and over 500 technical publications in the area of Electronic Design Automation.
He leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Ruth Blandford Brayton, and their three children: Jane Burchard (spouse Daniel) of Burlington, Vermont; Jim Brayton (spouse Debbie Marr) of Portland, Oregon; and Michael Brayton also of Burlington, Vermont; two brothers in Ames, Iowa: John Brayton (spouse Jean) and Tom Brayton (spouse Judy); six grandchildren: Thomas and Lia Burchard, Matthew, Mason, Mariella and Marshall Brayton; several nieces and nephews, and many treasured former graduate students who he considered part of his extended family.
His memory has been honored in several meaningful ways. In April the college campus will open its new engineering building with the Robert K. and Ruth B. Brayton Community Room gifted by numerous former students and colleagues. Bob will be missed beyond measure.
Interment will be in the Northbrae Church Sacred Hoop Garden with Celebration of Life scheduled for the Spring. Gifts in his honor can be sent to the Northbrae Community Church or to a charity of your choice.