University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Grainger College of Engineering

Robert S. Wiseman

[title]
To Roberts S. Wiseman, engineer and administrator, for his contributions to the development of night vision and for his distinguished record as an administrator in research and development for the U.S. Army.

Director, Electronics Laboratory, Martin-Marietta Aerospace Corporation, Orlando Division, Orlando, Florida

  • BS, Electrical Engineering, 1948
  • MS, Electrical Engineering, 1950
  • PhD, Electrical Engineering, 1954

Since receiving his PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1954, Robert Wiseman has had a distinguished career in research and development with the U.S. Army. He has made major contributions on near-infrared devices, light source and search lights, and image intensification. The work on image intensifiers resulted in a major technological breakthrough with the development of the starlight scopes used in Vietnam. Recognized for his administrative capability as well as his technical contributions, Dr. Wiseman’s appointments have increased in scope and intensity, culminating in his selection as Assistant Deputy for Science and Technology in the Office of the Deputy Commanding General for Materiel Development in 1979, the top civilian position in research and development in the U.S. Army.   

The author of several articles on night vision research, Dr. Wiseman is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Illuminating Engineering Society. He has received many awards, including the U.S. Army Exceptional Civilian Service Medal in 1968, the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Medal in 1969, the President’s Distinguished Executive Rank Award in 1980, and the Distinguished Alumnus Award of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Alumni Association in 1980.

Current as of 1987.