C. Paul Robinson (Oct. 9, 1941 – March 2, 2023)
By JAMES PEERY
Director
Sandia National Laboratories
Colleagues,
Sandia has lost a towering figure in our history. Paul Robinson, Laboratories Director from 1995 to 2005, passed away Thursday (March 2). The news brings deep sadness to the many people whose lives Paul touched and to the laboratory where his legacy is visible almost everywhere. Paul was an exceptional and visionary leader who was dedicated to Sandia Labs, the United States and national security. He was charismatic, outgoing and a mentor and friend of mine and many others.
Paul was a noted physicist who came to Sandia in 1990 after 18 years at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he headed its primary weapons program. He served as U.S. ambassador to the nuclear testing talks with the former Soviet Union in Geneva before joining Sandia as director of the Systems Analysis Center. Paul brought technical expertise, an international reputation and a penchant for deep thinking on the issues surrounding nuclear weapons, deterrence and nonproliferation.
He was a dynamic leader, perfect for the post-Cold War era. He rose quickly, first to Vice President of Laboratory Development, a division that played a key role in shaping the Sandia of the 21st century. He oversaw advances in strategic planning, technology transfer, quality processes, information systems and political and military affairs. Sandia was in the midst of dramatic change when he became Labs Director in 1995. AT&T, the Labs’ steward for 44 years, had announced it wouldn’t renew its management contract after 1993. It ultimately went to Martin Marietta, which merged with Lockheed Aircraft to form Lockheed Martin. When Al Narath subsequently stepped down as Laboratories Director, Paul stepped in.
Amid countless changes and controversies, Paul put Sandia on a steady course to excellence and helped it become our country’s premier national laboratory, the center of the DOE complex for systems engineering and instrumental in efforts to maintain a safe, secure and reliable nuclear stockpile. His science background and strong stewardship of the nuclear weapons program led Sandia to build a more diverse technology base, capable of responding to emerging threats — truly a virtuous cycle of accomplishment.
Paul was a compelling advocate, champion and representative of the weapons labs and a familiar figure on Capitol Hill where he testified often and collaborated with the New Mexico congressional delegation. He led Sandia during the tumultuous days following 9/11. He had worked in the World Trade Center, on the 93rd floor of Tower Two, for a few years after leaving Los Alamos and responded quickly to the crisis. Sandia offered much-needed support and became a key partner with the new Department of Homeland Security to find technological answers to national security issues.
Now we say farewell to Paul. He will always be a part of Sandia. You see his legacy at MESA and the Z Machine and in supercomputing, biosciences and so many other fields critical to our national security mission. To Paul, the work came first. But he ultimately was a people person. His personality and warmth inspired thousands here, and around the world. He helped build the culture of exceptional service, integrity and respect for each other that distinguishes Sandia National Laboratories. There is much more to Paul Robinson and I encourage you to read a special edition of Lab News with stories, photos, videos and remembrances.
Join me in whispering a thank you to Paul for a job well done.
