Robert Krakowski

Robert A. Krakowski, age 83 and longtime resident of Santa Fe, NM, died on July 16, 2021 due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Born October 13, 1938, in Ohio, Bob received a BS in Chemical Engineering from The Ohio State University and a PhD in Nuclear Engineering from the University of California. He began his career working on nuclear material problems at the Euratom Center of Research in Ispra, Italy and taught Nuclear Engineering at The Ohio State University. From there he moved with his family to join the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in 1972 to work on material problems associated with space nuclear power and headed a Magnetic Fusion Systems Study Group at LANL responsible for alternative fusion concepts.  Throughout his 40+ year career, he championed compact, high-power-density magnetic fusion power cores as a route to economically competitive electricity generation. Later in his career, he participated in international alternative energy research at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Villingen, Switzerland.

In his personal life he was a lifelong advocate for the disabled, supporting the Santa Fe ARC and Santa Fe, Los Alamos, and New Mexico Special Olympics. He actively advocated for his son Nels’ development from the start, championing educational and developmental support not only for Nels but for the greater Santa Fe and Los Alamos communities. As Nels reached adulthood, Bob facilitated his artistic development, organizing art showings locally in Santa Fe and Los Alamos, much to his family’s appreciation. Bob loved music, teaching himself many instruments from classical guitar to flute, an affinity he shared with his daughter Christiana, to trumpet, playing in Santa Fe bands in later years. Bob was also a lifelong adventurer.  From taking his children throughout their youth on cross-country trips and even overseas to live in the United Kingdom to hiking the Pecos Wilderness, cross country skiing, and cycling in later years, he loved the outdoors.  

Bob is survived by his son Nels and his daughters Christiana and Alix and their families. In lieu of flowers or cards, please send donations to Los Alamos Special Olympics, New Mexico Special Olympics, or Las Cumbres Community Services. The family intends to host a Celebration of Life in Santa Fe in the Fall.