Remembering Michael Athans: A Tribute by Nils R. Sandell
Nils R. Sandell fondly remembers Michael Athans as a remarkable mentor, entrepreneur, and friend. From their days at Bell Labs to founding ALPHATECH together, Michael's influence on Nils' life was profound and enduring. Reflecting on Michael's contributions to robust control theory and their shared entrepreneurial ventures, Nils pays tribute to a unique and powerful presence that will be remembered always.
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Remarks for Michael Athans Memorial Service Nils R. Sandell July 9, 2020 1
Remarks 1 First heard of Michael when my supervisor at Bell Labs recommended Michael as PhD advisor Wonderful teacher, mentor, supporter and quite a character Michael was very entrepreneurial Consultant for Systems Control Michael loved to go there We planned to start a company when I graduated A year before my graduation, Michael stopped talking about it He became Director of LIDS and I joined the MIT faculty Great atmosphere at LIDS Very strong control group Bertsekas, Mitter, Willsky, etc. Communications group joined Davenport, Gallagher, etc. Michael wanted to try out control theory on practical problems Wide variety of projects, very entrepreneurial atmosphere 2
Remarks 2 Modeling and robust control Theory didn t always work out Problem was dependence on inaccurate models Brought Gunter Stein to MIT, supervised Mike Safonov PhD thesis Led to MIT contributions to robust control theory controllers that work even when models are inaccurate In these days of coronavirus, when even politicians talk about models, I think about those days All models are wrong, but some are useful George Box Models have limitations, stupidity does not Michael Athans Transition to ALPHATECH LIDS was a great training ground for starting a company Michael and I founded ALPHATECH with Alan Willsky, Sol Gully and David Kleinman 3
Remarks 3 Michael was the founding Chairman of ALPHATECH Instrumental in winning initial contracts Loyal and supportive of a young, green CEO Technical staff loved to work with him as consultant Michael moved to Portugal and then to Florida Visited him several times, first time in 2002 He loved his farm in the countryside outside Lisbon Michael was unique and powerful presence to all those around him More influential on my life than anyone outside of my wife and my parents I will remember him always 4
ALPHATECH Board Fred Michael Hal Bob Jack Alan Linc Sol Gene Chuck Nils Dick 7
