# Loren Phillip Meissner

> Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley 1965

**Wikidata**: [Q102184920](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102184920)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/loren-phillip-meissner

## Summary
Loren Phillip Meissner was an American computer scientist and academic known for his work in the industrial and service sectors. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1965 under advisor Edmund Pinney. Throughout his career, Meissner was affiliated with prominent institutions including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the University of San Francisco.

## Biography
- **Born:** November 24, 1928, in Los Angeles, United States
- **Died:** June 21, 2022
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley (1965); Doctoral Advisor: Edmund Pinney
- **Occupation:** Computer Scientist
- **Employer(s):** National Institute of Standards and Technology; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; University of San Francisco
- **Field(s):** Computer Science; Mathematics
- **Gender:** Male

## Contributions
Loren Phillip Meissner contributed to the field of computer science through a career spanning national laboratories, government standards institutes, and higher education. His professional trajectory included significant tenures at three major institutions: the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the University of San Francisco.

At NIST, a prominent measurement standards laboratory in the United States, Meissner would have operated within an organization dedicated to advancing measurement science, standards, and technology. His association with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory places him within a high-level research environment focused on scientific discovery. Additionally, his role at the University of San Francisco indicates a contribution to higher education and the training of students in the field of computer science. His academic foundation was solidified by his Ph.D. work at the University of California, Berkeley, completed in 1965, which situated him within the early foundational era of computer science as a formal discipline.

## FAQs

### Q: When and where was Loren Phillip Meissner born?
A: Loren Phillip Meissner was born on November 24, 1928, in Los Angeles, United States.

### Q: What was Loren Phillip Meissner's educational background?
A: He earned a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1965. His doctoral advisor was Edmund Pinney.

### Q: Which organizations did Loren Phillip Meissner work for?
A: He was employed by or affiliated with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the University of San Francisco.

### Q: When did Loren Phillip Meissner pass away?
A: He passed away on June 21, 2022.

## Why They Matter
Loren Phillip Meissner represents a generation of computer scientists who helped bridge the gap between theoretical mathematics and practical application in both government and academia during the formative decades of the digital age. His work at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is particularly significant; NIST plays a critical role in establishing measurement standards that ensure technology reliability and interoperability across the United States. By contributing to such a standards body, Meissner aided the infrastructure that supports the industrial and service sectors.

Furthermore, his dual presence in national laboratories (Lawrence Berkeley) and academic institutions (University of San Francisco) highlights a career dedicated to both advancing scientific knowledge and educating future professionals. His academic lineage, tracing back to doctoral advisor Edmund Pinkey at UC Berkeley, places him within a scholarly tradition that likely influenced subsequent developments in applied mathematics and computing. His long lifespan (1928–2022) allowed him to witness and participate in the vast transformation of computing from a niche scientific pursuit to a fundamental global industry.

## Notable For
- **Early Academic Achievement:** Earning a Ph.D. in 1965 from the University of California, Berkeley, during the early era of computer science.
- **Standards Work:** Affiliation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a key U.S. measurement standards laboratory.
- **Research & Academia:** Holding roles at both Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of San Francisco.
- **Academic Lineage:** Being advised by mathematician Edmund Pinney.
- **Professional Recognition:** Listed in the Mathematics Genealogy Project (ID: 31616) and DBLP (Author ID: 69/4920).

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Loren Phillip Meissner was born on November 24, 1928, in Los Angeles, California. He pursued higher education in the United States, ultimately attending the University of California, Berkeley. He successfully earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in 1965. During his doctoral studies, he conducted his research under the guidance of Edmund Pinney.

### Professional Career
Meissner’s professional life was defined by his work across government, research, and academic sectors. He was recognized as a computer scientist operating within the industrial and service sectors.

Key affiliations included:
*   **National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):** A U.S. measurement standards laboratory (formerly known as the National Bureau of Standards), where Meissner was listed as an employee.
*   **Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory:** A major research laboratory where he held employment.
*   **University of San Francisco:** A Jesuit Catholic university where he served as an employee, contributing to the field of higher education.

### Death and Legacy
Loren Phillip Meissner died on June 21, 2022. He is recorded in academic databases including the Mathematics Genealogy Project (ID: 31616) and the DBLP computer science bibliography (Author ID: 69/4920), cementing his standing in the scientific community.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/mercurynews/name/loren-meissner-obituary?id=35667592)
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project