Justin Rattner

Justin Rattner was an American computer scientist and prominent technology executive best known for his long tenure at Intel Corporation, where he served as the company's chief technology officer and led Intel Labs. He was a key figure in driving forward-looking research in areas like pervasive computing, proactive computing, and tera-scale computing, significantly influencing the semiconductor industry's research direction. Rattner was also a visible advocate for the role of corporate research in advancing fundamental computer architecture and human–computer interaction.

Early life and education

Born in Los Angeles, he demonstrated an early aptitude for science and technology. He pursued higher education at Cornell University, where he earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in computer science. His academic work at the Ivy League institution laid a strong foundation in electrical engineering and computing principles. During this period, the field was rapidly evolving with advancements from institutions like Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Career at Intel

Rattner joined Intel in 1973 and spent nearly four decades at the Santa Clara-based company. He held various engineering and management roles, contributing to early microprocessor and parallel computing projects. He was appointed an Intel Fellow in 1988 and later became the director of Microprocessor Research. In 2001, he was named vice president and the fourth chief technology officer of Intel, succeeding Pat Gelsinger. Under his leadership, Intel Labs expanded its global footprint with sites from Hillsboro, Oregon to Braunschweig, exploring frontiers such as wireless sensor networks, cognitive computing, and quantum computing. He was a frequent keynote speaker at major forums like the International Solid-State Circuits Conference and Intel Developer Forum.

Post-Intel activities

After retiring from Intel in 2011, he remained active in the technology community. He served on the National Science Foundation's Advisory Committee for Computer and Information Science and Engineering. He also joined the board of directors for Max-Viz, Inc., a company specializing in enhanced vision systems for aviation. Furthermore, he contributed his expertise as a strategic advisor to several Silicon Valley startups and venture firms, focusing on emerging technologies in artificial intelligence and robotics.

Awards and recognition

His contributions were widely recognized by professional organizations. He was elected a Fellow of the IEEE for his leadership in computer architecture and parallel processing. In 2009, he was honored with the prestigious ACM/IEEE Eckert–Mauchly Award, one of the highest accolades in computer architecture, shared with William J. Dally. He also received the Asian American Engineer of the Year award and was inducted into the Oregon Science and Technology Hall of Fame.

Personal life

He was married to his wife Nancy, with whom he had two children. An avid pilot, he held a private pilot license and was passionate about general aviation. He was also a dedicated philanthropist, supporting educational initiatives in STEM fields through contributions to institutions like Oregon State University. He passed away in Portland, Oregon after a battle with lymphoma.

Category:American computer scientists Category:Intel people Category:1949 births Category:2022 deaths