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Analog Designer Bob Pease Dies In Car Crash

Posted by timothy on from the condolences-to-the-pease-family dept.

EdwinFreed writes "It's being widely reported that Bob Pease, well known analog circuit designer and author of Pease Porridge, has died in a car accident. He reportedly was driving alone in his 1969 Beetle and failed to negotiate a turn."

6 of 187 comments (clear)

  1. Farewell Bob, we'll miss you... by jenningsthecat · · Score: 4, Insightful

    As an analog designer, I've come to appreciate Bob's many contributions over the years. He was a good writer and a terrific engineer, and he knew both theory and hands-on practice better than most of us. He could explain complex concepts in simple language, and it seemed he was a no-nonsense kind of guy yet had a good sense of humour. The electronics field, from hobbyists, to other engineers, to semiconductor companies, owes him a debt of gratitude. He will be missed.

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    'The Economy' is a giant Ponzi scheme whose most pitiable suckers are the youngest among us and the yet-unborn.
    1. Re:Farewell Bob, we'll miss you... by kubitus · · Score: 3, Insightful

      will be remembered not only for his electronics - also he outspoke that if you continue to neglect engineers, young talent will trun away from engineering. ( See Obamas plans to get more engineers )

  2. Re:Sad Day by Canonical+Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Bob was the quintessential curmudgeon and he had the chops and credentials to do it well. But he was never spiteful or hateful.

    He truly did dislike engineers who didn't make smoke and relied on Spice simulations to design things, but he knew what he was talking about. His floobydust stories were spot on. I just had the pleasure of rereading his take on the Taguchi method.

    I never got to meet him, but I did manage once or twice to exchange mail. His column was the first thing I looked for, and his books are legend.

    Goodbye Bob. Thank you Pease family for sharing him with us.

  3. Re:No seatbelt by c41rn · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Indeed. Pease crashed on Pierce Rd. in Saratoga and I had a very close call myself several years back near the intersection of Pierce Rd. and Hwy 9 in my 1967 VW Karmann Ghia, so I have some experience here. The early VWs (up to 1969 for the Ghia, and I think '70 for the Beetles) had swing axle rear ends that jack up the rear end in turns so that the tires are riding on their edges. Since the engines are in the back, this causes the car to lose control very quickly on tight turns like those on Pierce Rd. and Hwy 9. After '69/70 or so, VW put IRS in their vehicles to fix this problem, keeping the wheels relatively perpendicular to the road in turns.

    IIRC, it was the swing axle rear ends in the Corvairs that led to Nader's "Unsafe at any speed" suit.

    This is a bit off topic, but having a technical discussion about the cause of the crash is probably what Pease would do too ;) Rest in peace.

  4. Re:Died in a '69 Beetle by retchdog · · Score: 3, Insightful

    a ridiculous godwin is a good godwin. and it was kind of meant as a joke on the heated trolling/discussion below regarding "seatbelts: useless, or nanny state murder device?"

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    "They were pure niggers." – Noam Chomsky
  5. Re:Died in a '69 Beetle by xaxa · · Score: 3, Insightful

    You're a damned fool in making assumptions. There's nothing out there so far (else post links) that indicates that seat belts (or their lack) played any role in the outcome. Shut up.

    You've made four comments saying pretty much the same thing. Maybe you should close the window and do something else, there's no point getting stressed over a Slashdot comment (or four).

    Also, if you don't wear a seatbelt I strongly suggest you reconsider that decision. At the very least, you must wear one when sitting in the back, as that will prevent you from crushing the person in the front seat in a collision.