Duncan Lawrie, 81, emeritus professor of computer science and former department chair, died in the comfort of his home on Nov. 26, 2024. Lawrie obtained an MS in computer science in 1969 and his PhD from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1973 PhD with David Kuck as his advisor. Lawrie led the then-computer science department at Illinois from 1990 to 1996. Until 1998, he chaired the University of Illinois Information Technology Sector and served on the executive committee of the Digital Library Projects and many committees.
Written by Bruce Adams
Duncan Lawrie
Duncan H. Lawrie, emeritus professor of computer science and former department chair, died on Nov. 26, 2024 at age 81. He received a BS from Purdue University's School of Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1966. Lawrie obtained an MS in computer science in 1969 and his PhD from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1973 PhD with David Kuck as his advisor. He joined the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign engineering faculty in 1990.
His research interests were in supercomputer software and architecture, where he published extensively. Lawrie was an integral part of the ILLIAC IV project, working on a parallel language called GLYPNIR and contributing to the design of the Burroughs Scientific Processor and Cedar. He helped shape computing’s direction through service on numerous policy committees and as the president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society.
Lawrie led the then-computer science department at Illinois from 1990 to 1996. Until retiring in 1998, he chaired the University of Illinois Information Technology Sector and served on the executive committee of the Digital Library Projects and many committees.
ILLIAC IV
Lawrie received many awards and accolades, including the Computer Science at Illinois Distinguished Alumni Service Award (2014), Outstanding Electrical Engineer by Purdue University (1996), an IEEE fellow, editor of the Computer Architecture and Systems Department of the Communications of the ACM, and editor-in-chief of the IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Computer Research Association. Lawrie was a certified NRA Instructor and Chief Range Safety Officer, held an FCC Amateur Extra License, and was an FCC/ARRL Volunteer Examiner.
The Duncan H. Lawrie Leadership Award is made in recognition of his longtime contributions and services to The Grainger College of Engineering Siebel School of Computing and Data Science, formerly the Department of Computer Science, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Lawrie chose to direct the award to undergraduate students enrolled in the school who have demonstrated not only academic achievement, but exemplary student leadership and citizenship. This award is given to a student showing superior qualities of leadership and good citizenship.