Bob Evans, 77; Led Team in Key Computer Development

Bob Evans, a computer scientist who helped popularize personal computing and served as a scientific advisor to Taiwan, has died. He was 77.

Evans, a longtime resident of Hillsborough, Calif., died Thursday of heart failure at his home in the San Francisco suburb, according to his son, Doug.

Evans joined IBM in 1951 and worked there for 33 years. In the early 1960s, he led the team that designed the IBM System/360, the first line of computers that could run the same software. President Ronald Reagan awarded Evans the National Medal of Technology for his work.

Evans later served as IBM’s chief engineer and led the development of a variety of personal computing and communications satellite products.

From 1981 to 1995, Evans acted as a chief science advisor to Taiwan and helped develop strategy for its semiconductor industry.

He later helped start Taiwan’s Vanguard International Semiconductor Corp. and served as a partner in several business ventures.

Evans was born in Grand Island, Neb., in 1927, and grew up in Shelton, Neb. He earned engineering degrees from Iowa State University and Syracuse University.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years and four children. A memorial service will be held Saturday afternoon in Burlingame, Calif.