ROBERT W. LUCKY (1936-2022)

BY MARTIN E. HELLMAN
AND THE MARCONI SOCIETY

Dr. ROBERT WENDELL LUCKY was a pioneering figure in the world of communications, whose contributions to data communications have had an enormous impact on the telecommunications industry. His work transformed data transmission, making it faster, more reliable, and more efficient, paving the way for the high-speed, broadband networks we rely on today.

Born on Jan. 9, 1936, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bob’s academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University in 1957, followed by a master’s degree in 1959 and a Ph.D. in 1961, also from Purdue.

After graduation, he married Joan Jackson and joined AT&T Bell Labs in Holmdel, New Jersey, becoming executive director of its Communications Sciences Research Division in 1982.

After retiring from Bell Labs in 1993, Bob continued to be an active force in the world of telecommunications, serving as the corporate vice president of applied research at Bellcore, a spinoff of Bell Labs. And, even after his retirement from Bellcore in 2002, he remained an influential figure.

One of Bob’s most notable achievements was the development of the automatic adaptive equalizer in 1964 for addressing intersymbol interference (ISI) in data transmission. (Prof. Bernard Widrow [NAE 1995] and Dr. Marcian “Ted” Hoff of Stanford independently developed related adaptive filtering ideas in 1960, but initially the two groups were unaware of each other’s work.)

ISI occurs when signals are distorted by going through a bandwidth limited channel, causing data errors that were remedied by slowing down the transmission speed. By designing a method to automatically correct for these distortions, the adaptive equalizer enabled transmission of data at speeds that were previously unimaginable.

This breakthrough invention allowed voiceband modems to operate at speeds of 9,600 bps, an enormous leap from the earlier maximum of 2,400 bps. By improving the speed and reliability of data communications, Bob’s work was instrumental in enabling the rise of digital technologies that have transformed society, including the Internet.

His contributions were honored by many awards, including election to the National Academy of Engineering in 1978; the Marconi Prize in 1987; the IEEE Information Theory Society’s Golden Jubilee Award in 1988; and the IEEE Edison Medal in 1995.

Bob was an influential communicator who, from 1982 to 2019, wrote the popular “Reflections” column for IEEE Spectrum, a bimonthly feature that provided readers with his reflections on the latest developments in technology, as well as his personal experiences in the field. Through his writing, Bob was able to translate complex technical concepts into accessible narratives that engaged engineers, technology enthusiasts, and the general public alike.

His column covered a wide array of topics, from the historical development of communication technologies to the future of broadband networks, always with a clear, insightful perspective. In 1993, a collection of his IEEE Spectrum columns appeared in the book Lucky Strikes … Again.

Bob was editor of the Proceedings of the IEEE, executive vice president of the IEEE, president of the IEEE Communications Society, and in charge of the IEEE Publications Board. When The Marconi Society held a symposium session on paywalls limiting access to technical publications, I asked Bob to participate, thinking that his position on the IEEE Publications Board would make him an advocate for paywalls. But he surprised me when he said that the IEEE would have to learn to live with publications being freely available – even though the organization then derived significant revenue from library subscriptions. He took this position with his characteristic dry sense of humor, which I remember and cherish.

Bob was chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the U.S. Air Force, a member of the Defense Science Board, and a member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Laboratory Operations Board.

He also served as chairman of The Marconi Society, which has a special place in my mind since we often interacted at its symposia. He was an untiring servant of the Society and its efforts to improve communications for all people of the world.

Bob’s passing on March 10, 2022, marked the loss of one of the most influential figures in telecommunications. His legacy is cemented not only in the technical contributions he made but in the profound impact he had on the world of communications. From the development of the adaptive equalizer to his prolific writing, leadership, and mentorship, Dr. Robert W. Lucky’s work has forever changed the way we connect and communicate. His life is a testament to the power of innovation, dedication, and a lifelong commitment to advancing the field of telecommunications.

Bob was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Joan Jackson Lucky. He is survived by his son, David William Lucky and his wife, Kim, his daughter Karen Joan Lucky, and grandchildren Megan, Shannon, Peter, Grace, and Lily.

References

IEEE Spectrum. 2022. In Memoriam: Dr. Robert W. “Bob” Lucky. March 10. Online at https://spectrum.ieee.org/bob-lucky-obituary

Thompson Memorial Home. (2022). Dr. Robert W. Lucky. Online at https://www.thompsonmemorial.net/obituaries/1787-dr-robert-w-lucky