Published January 30, 2023
Alexander Scott Gilmour Jr., a University at Buffalo professor emeritus who completed more than five decades of work researching and developing microwave technology used in radar and satellite communications, died Jan. 20 in St. Cloud, Florida. He was 91.
Gilmour joined the UB faculty as a professor of electrical and computer engineering in 1970 and served for several years as chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering.
He made numerous contributions to the development of light-weight power conditioning systems for high power space-based systems, and he was instrumental in establishing a program for NASA and the United States Air Force to make airborne electronic counter-measure systems more efficient. Gilmour also worked extensively to reduce failure rates and improve performance in military microwave systems by correcting tube and system designs.
In recognition of his work, Gilmour received the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ (IEEE) 1992 High Voltage Award; 2006 Sol Schneider Award; and 2018 John R. Pierce Award for Excellence in Vacuum Electronics, considered the lifetime achievement award in his field. He was also appointed an IEEE fellow.
He has presented nearly 200 courses on microwave devices to scientists, engineers and managers, and authored four textbooks on microwave tube technology.
Gilmour earned a doctorate, master’s degree, and bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Cornell University. Prior to joining UB, he held positions at Cornell University, Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory (now Calspan), and Sanders Associates (now BAE Systems), and served in the U.S. Navy as an electronics officer.
He is survived by his wife, Sally; his children David, Allen, Paula, and Duane; stepsons Blake Walker and Graham Walker; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
