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Bob Williams (1Sep93)
(from the Director's Office, NOAO Newsletter No. 35, 1 September 1993)

At the end of July, Bob Williams left CTIO to take up his new position
as Director of STScI. Bob was a superb director of CTIO--in the
judgment of the CTIO staff, the user community, the external review
committees, and myself. He was an effective advocate for CTIO and its
programs, but he also took the time to understand the issues facing
other components of the NOAO program. His efforts to work with senior
staff throughout NOAO to forge a consensus about programs and
priorities were a key factor in shaping the way that NOAO has
developed.  Despite the difficulties of accommodating simultaneously to
budget reductions and to the challenges of initiating such major new
programs as Gemini, GONG, and WIYN, we have forged a stronger, more
purposeful, and more united observatory over the past six years. Bob
deserves a good portion of the credit for this achievement.

Perhaps even more important than his direct contribution to the
management of NOAO and CTIO is the impact that Bob has had on the
scientific environment at CTIO. His unwavering commitment to research
and his infectious enthusiasm for it have influenced everyone who works
with him. A director's actions often speak louder than words, and Bob's
actions reminded us every day that science must be at the center of
everything we do.

While we all regret losing Bob, at the same time I am pleased that the
experience he gained at NOAO and his achievements here have qualified
him to move on to a position that is even more challenging and that
will have an even greater impact on the future of US astronomy. As we
offer Bob our thanks for what he has achieved at CTIO, we must also
offer him our support for the future.

Sidney C. Wolff

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