# Zane Clinton Motteler

> Ph.D. Stanford University 1964

**Wikidata**: [Q102166139](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102166139)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zane-clinton-motteler

## Summary
Zane Clinton Motteler was an American computer scientist, mathematician, and university teacher. He earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1964 under the supervision of David Gilbarg. Motteler had a diverse career spanning academia and federal research, holding positions at Michigan Technological University, California Polytechnic State University, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

## Biography
*   **Born:** July 4, 1935 in Wenatchee, United States
*   **Died:** January 3, 2019 in Albuquerque, United States
*   **Nationality:** United States
*   **Education:** Ph.D. (Stanford University, 1964), Olympia High School
*   **Known for:** Career in computer science and mathematics across academia and federal research.
*   **Employer(s):**
    *   Los Alamos National Laboratory (until 1961)
    *   Gonzaga University (1965–1972)
    *   Michigan Technological University (1972–1982)
    *   California Polytechnic State University (1982–1993)
    *   Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (1993–2000)
*   **Field(s):** Computer Science, Mathematics
*   **Religion:** Catholicism

## Contributions
Zane Clinton Motteler contributed to the fields of mathematics and computer science through a career that bridged higher education and federal research. After completing his Ph.D. at Stanford University in 1964—a period during which he also worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory—he entered academic teaching.

Motteler spent seven years at Gonzaga University (1965–1972) before moving to Michigan Technological University (MTU). During his decade-long tenure at MTU (1972–1982), he served in the capacity of a university teacher and researcher in Houghton, Michigan. He subsequently joined California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where he taught for eleven years (1982–1993).

Transitioning back to the federal service sector in 1993, Motteler joined the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Livermore, California. He concluded his professional career at LLNL in 2000. His professional trajectory included residences in major academic and research hubs including Palo Alto, Spokane, Houghton, Pleasanton, and Albuquerque.

## FAQs
### Q: When and where did Zane Clinton Motteler earn his Ph.D.?
A: Zane Clinton Motteler earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1964. His doctoral advisor was David Gilbarg.

### Q: What was Zane Clinton Motteler's cause of death?
A: Zane Clinton Motteler passed away from natural causes related to esophageal cancer on January 3, 2019, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

### Q: Which institutions employed Zane Clinton Motteler?
A: His employers included Los Alamos National Laboratory, Gonzaga University, Michigan Technological University, California Polytechnic State University, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

## Why They Matter
Zane Clinton Motteler represents a significant lineage of American academics who transitioned between theoretical mathematics and practical computer science within federally funded research laboratories. His career reflects the mobility of scientific expertise during the late 20th century, moving from the specific environment of Los Alamos in the early 1960s to various academic institutions, and finally to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

By advising students and conducting research across three distinct universities—Gonzaga, Michigan Tech, and Cal Poly—he contributed to the STEM educational pipeline in the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and California. His return to national laboratories at the senior level of his career highlights the value placed on experienced academic minds within the United States' federal research infrastructure.

## Notable For
*   **Stanford Ph.D.:** Earned a doctorate in 1964 under the mathematician David Gilbarg.
*   **Dual-Sector Career:** Successfully navigated roles in both university education (1972–1993) and federal research institutes (1961, 1993–2000).
*   **Long-standing Academic Tenure:** Held consecutive decade-long or near-decade-long positions at Michigan Technological University and California Polytechnic State University.
*   **National Laboratory Service:** Employed at two major U.S. federal research facilities: Los Alamos National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Zane Clinton Motteler was born on July 4, 1935, in Wenatchee, Washington. He attended Olympia High School before pursuing higher education. He enrolled at Stanford University, where he eventually earned his Ph.D. in 1964. During his doctoral studies, he was advised by David Gilbarg.

### Early Career and Academia
Motteler's professional association with federal research began early; he was employed at Los Alamos National Laboratory with an end date of 1961. Following the completion of his doctorate, he embarked on a career in academia.

From 1965 to 1972, Motteler served on the faculty of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. In 1972, he accepted a position at Michigan Technological University (MTU) in Houghton, Michigan, where he worked for a decade until 1982.

### Cal Poly and Lawrence Livermore
In 1982, Motteler moved to California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo. He remained a faculty member there for eleven years.

In 1993, Motteler transitioned from teaching back to federal research, joining the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in Livermore, California. He worked at LLNL for seven years until his departure in 2000.

### Personal Life and Death
Throughout his life, Motteler resided in Palo Alto, Los Alamos, Spokane, Houghton, Pleasanton, and San Luis Obispo. He identified as Catholic. He died of natural causes due to esophageal cancer on January 3, 2019, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

### Professional Identifiers
*   **Mathematical Reviews Author ID:** 504407
*   **zbMATH Author ID:** motteler.zane-c
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** no2003110759
*   **Mathematics Genealogy Project ID:** 14676

## References

1. [Source](https://neptunesociety.com/obituaries/albuquerque-nm/zane-motteler-8109195)
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project
3. LinkedIn