# Rob Blokzijl > Dutch physicist (1943-2015) **Wikidata**: [Q3434151](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3434151) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Blokzijl) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rob-blokzijl ## Summary Rob Blokzijl was a Dutch physicist and computer scientist, born in 1943 and deceased in 2015. Affiliated with the National Institute for Subatomic Physics (NIKHEF) and the University of Amsterdam, he is best known as an internet pioneer who received the Jonathan B. Postel Service Award and was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame. ## Biography - **Born:** October 21, 1943, in Amsterdam, Netherlands - **Died:** December 1, 2015, in Roggel, Netherlands - **Nationality:** Kingdom of the Netherlands - **Education:** University of Amsterdam - **Employer(s):** NIKHEF (until 2013) - **Field(s):** Physics, Computer Science - **Gender:** Male ## Contributions Rob Blokzijl's career bridged the fields of physics and computer science. While specific technical papers are not listed in the source material, his contributions are defined by significant service to the internet community and digital infrastructure. His role as an "internet pioneer" was formally recognized through multiple prestigious accolades. In 2010, he was appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau, a royal honor acknowledging his work in developing internet technologies. In 2015, he received the Jonathan B. Postel Service Award, a prominent international award recognizing substantial service to the internet community. Following his death, his legacy was cemented with his induction into the Internet Hall of Fame in 2021. Professionally, he was associated with NIKHEF, the Dutch National Institute for Subatomic Physics, serving there until 2013. His educational background at the University of Amsterdam provided the foundation for his dual-career path in both physics and computing. ## FAQs ### Q: What awards did Rob Blokzijl receive? A: Rob Blokzijl received the Jonathan B. Postel Service Award in 2015 and was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame in 2021. Additionally, he was recognized as an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2010. ### Q: Where did Rob Blokzijl work? A: He was employed by NIKHEF (the National Institute for Subatomic Physics) in the Netherlands, where he worked until 2013. ### Q: When and where was Rob Blokzijl born and when did he die? A: He was born on October 21, 1943, in Amsterdam, and died on December 1, 2015, in Roggel, Netherlands. ## Why They Matter Rob Blokzijl matters for his distinct impact on the early development and governance of the internet in Europe and globally. His recognition as an "Internet Pioneer" by royal decree and his receipt of the Jonathan B. Postel Service Award highlight that his contributions went beyond technical research to include significant service and leadership within the internet infrastructure community. His induction into the Internet Hall of Fame posthumously in 2021 confirms that his work had a lasting effect on the digital world. By combining a background in physics with computer science at a major research institute (NIKHEF), he played a role in the convergence of scientific research and network development, leaving a legacy that influenced how the internet evolved in the Netherlands and beyond. ## Notable For - **Internet Hall of Fame Inductee:** Recognized in 2021 for his contributions to the internet. - **Jonathan B. Postel Service Award:** Received in 2015 for service to the internet community. - **Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau:** Awarded in 2010 for his work as an internet pioneer. - **Dual Discipline Career:** Notable figure in both Physics and Computer Science. - **Academic Affiliation:** Long-standing association with NIKHEF and the University of Amsterdam. ## Body ### Early Life and Education Rob Blokzijl was born on October 21, 1943, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He held citizenship in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. He pursued his higher education at the University of Amsterdam, a public university established in 1632. ### Career in Physics and Computing Blokzijl identified professionally as both a physicist and a computer scientist. He was affiliated with NIKHEF, the physics institute in the Netherlands known for subatomic physics research. He served as an employee at NIKHEF until the end of his tenure in 2013. ### Recognition and Awards Blokzijl received significant recognition for his professional work: * **2010:** He was awarded the title of Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau. This royal recognition was specifically attributed to his work as an internet pioneer. * **2015:** He was the recipient of the Jonathan B. Postel Service Award. * **2021:** He was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame. ### Death Rob Blokzijl passed away on December 1, 2015, in Roggel, Netherlands. ### Identifiers and Aliases He was known by several aliases, including R. Blokzijl, Robert Blokzijl, and the Russian transliteration Роберт Блокзийл. His academic and library identifiers include: * ISNI: 0000000395304658 * VIAF ID: 289949002 * DBLP Author ID: 56/2672 ## References 1. [Rob Blokzijl Receives 2015 Jonathan B. Postel Service Award. 2015](https://www.internetsociety.org/news/press-releases/2015/rob-blokzijl-receives-2015-jonathan-b-postel-service-award/) 2. [Rob Blokzijl Receives Royal Recognition for his Work as an Internet Pioneer. 2010](https://www.ripe.net/publications/news/rob-blokzijl-receives-royal-recognition-for-his-work-as-an-internet-pioneer) 3. [Source](https://www.internethalloffame.org/inductee/rob-blokzijl/) 4. [Rob Blokzijl Obituary. 2015](https://www.ripe.net/participate/ripe/chair/rob-blokzijl-obituary)