Michael Blasgen ’63 | In Memoriam

Harvey Mudd College and the broader academic and technology communities mourn the passing of Michael W. Blasgen ’63, a distinguished engineer, researcher, investor, philanthropist and devoted trustee. His exceptional career in computing technology and his profound commitment to education and the arts have left an indelible mark on the institutions and people he touched.

“Michael was a cherished member of the Harvey Mudd community,” said Harvey Mudd College President Harriet B. Nembhard. “He was deeply respected for his thoughtful insights, generosity of spirit, and unwavering commitment to the College. His wisdom and guidance left a lasting imprint on our institution.”

Blasgen’s journey in higher education began at Harvey Mudd College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering. He then pursued advanced degrees, obtaining a master’s in electrical engineering from the California Institute of Technology and a PhD in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of California, Berkeley. His early academic career included serving as an assistant professor at UC Berkeley before he transitioned to industry, where he would go on to make groundbreaking contributions to computing.

Blasgen spent most of his professional career at IBM, primarily in its prestigious Research Division. He played an instrumental role in advancing computer graphics, relational database systems and RISC architecture. As the manager of database systems at IBM’s Almaden Research Center, he contributed to System R, a pioneering relational database project that laid the foundation for DB2. Later, as director of RISC systems at IBM’s T.J. Watson Research Center, he helped drive innovations that led to the development of the RISC System/6000. His career at IBM culminated in his role as director and head of the Austin Research Laboratory, where his team completed the world’s first 1GHz microprocessor.

After retiring from IBM, Blasgen joined Sony’s U.S. Research Laboratory as vice president for research, continuing his work at the forefront of computing technology. Later in his career, he served as a consultant and private investor, advising on database management and transaction processing systems. Recognized for his outstanding contributions to computer science and engineering, he was named a Fellow of both the Association for Computing Machinery and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Beyond his professional achievements, Blasgen was a dedicated philanthropist and supporter of education. Along with his late wife, Sharon Blasgen SCR ’64, he generously supported Harvey Mudd College and Scripps College, funding scholarships and contributing to the arts. The couple established the Michael and Sharon Blasgen Endowed Scholarship at Harvey Mudd with a $100,000 gift, in addition to providing ongoing funding for other initiatives, including the HMC makerspace and a second scholarship in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Class of 1963. They also donated more than 500 works of art to institutions, including the Getty Museum, Scripps College and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Blasgen’s contributions to Harvey Mudd College extended beyond financial support. He served as a trustee from 2005 to 2017, returned as an advisory trustee from 2017 to 2018 and resumed his role as a full trustee from 2018 until his transition to trustee emeritus in 2023. His leadership included serving on the Clinic Advisory Committee and actively participating in his 50th and 60th reunion committees. In 2021, he played a key role in establishing the James Monson Endowed Scholarship to honor the late engineering professor Jim Monson.

Michael Shanahan, Hank Riggs and Michael Blasgen

A passionate advocate for education and the arts, Blasgen served on the boards of organizations including the Friends of Science Museums, the Friends of International Museums and the Arts, Scripps College’s Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, the J. Paul Getty Museum Photographs Council, the Neuberger Museum and the South Beach Yacht Club.

Blasgen once reflected on his time at Harvey Mudd College, saying, “A high point of my time at Mudd was interacting with the students and faculty of the other Claremont colleges. Courses from CMC on constitutional law, history, and economics have been lifelong sources of satisfaction. The time I spent at Mudd has served me well.”

Michael Blasgen’s legacy is one of innovation, generosity and dedication to advancing knowledge and education. His contributions to computing technology, higher education and the arts will be remembered for generations to come. Harvey Mudd College and all those who knew him are deeply grateful for his leadership and generosity.

Blasgen is survived by his son, Nicholas, and daughter, Alexandra, as well his grandchild, Orion. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon, who died in 2018.

Memories of Michael Blasgen ’63

George Diehr ’63

Friend

We met on our first day at HMC and discovered we were roommates. We were immediately friends—a friendship that would grow and last for 65 years. We had a lot in common…loved cars and shared “engineer” DNA.
Post HMC we both spent a year in the “real world” then returned to the academy. Mike’s PhD was from UCB; mine from UCLA. We both wrote dissertations on data aggregation: Mike’s on multi-dimensional density estimation; mine on algorithms for clustering. Our thesis committees even had a common member; my chair was his external member. Visiting at Berkeley we joined a Vietnam war demonstration and were chased by the Oakland police.
Mike joined IBM; I a faculty position at University of Washington. The parallels continued. A key area of Mike’s research was in database management. I published several papers and a textbook on DBMS.
Throughout the years we remained in close touch even with his many moves: New York, DC, IBM San Jose, IBM Rochester, Bay Area (with winery visits), and San Diego.
It is difficult to overstate Mike’s intelligence, knowledge, professional accomplishments and contributions as heralded in these Memories. But there were many dimensions to him. We shared a mischievous side (see Sontag) and “differences” with authority (especially HMC student governance). We also loved saving a few shekels, driving 5 miles for 5-cent cheaper gas.
On the social side there was room for improvement. When he arrived at Mudd he proved rather naïve when it came to women. Over the years he grew with Sharon as his mentor and guide. She revealed that he sometimes “made up facts.” But unlike today’s “alternative truths,” with contrary evidence, he changed his mind. Mike far preferred being right. At our shared 80th birthday celebration we received matching T-shirts: “I’m not arguing, I’m explaining why I’m right.”
I miss Mike terribly.

Michael Wilson ’63

Friend

I met Michael in 1959 our first year at Mudd. It rapidly became clear that he was smart, probably the smartest person I have ever known, in the sense that he could immediately go the essence of a problem and devise novel solutions. We were like brothers. We were both only children raised by a single mother. We both married Scripps girls from the same dorm in 1965. We were both engineers. Indeed, Rick Sontag said we were like twins. Even though our work took us to different parts of the country and the world, we never lost touch. Our friendship survived sixty-five years.

Michael was not one to be sentential. He did not dwell on success or setback, but the passing of Sharon was a blow from which he never completely recovered.

Only a year ago he moved from California to Virginia to be near his daughter and grandson. He came out to California to see me in November, I regret I did not spend more time with him. I spoke with him the day before his Cardioversion. He was with his son and daughter. He was full of life, making plans. It should have been a fairly routine procedure, but at our age nothing is routine.

He was my oldest and closest friend; his passing leaves a hole in my heart.

Michael Wilson ‘63

Autumn Preskill ’09

Fellow Trustee and Friend

Michael was always one of my favorite people to talk to at board meetings–he had such interesting stories, and he was always so curious about new things he didn’t know. He was also so kind. At the first Saddlerock I attended I brought my oldest child, who was just under one year old at the time. One year olds don’t care about time zones, so I’d been up for a few hours and was running out of things to entertain my son with when we ran into Michael early one morning. Michael was delighted to see us, and happily played with my son and an empty coffee cup he repurposed into a top and then a light lesson on gravity as it spun off the table. Every Saddlerock after that when I saw Michael he would remind me of that moment and say how it had made his day. It had made mine and my son’s as well–Michael’s joy, curiosity, and kindness were on full display, and I never saw those waver during the time I knew him on the board. I will miss him greatly, and it was a privilege to have known him.

Jonathan Mersel ’75

Friend

Michael Blasgen was many things. He was smart, witty, sarcastic, and irreverent. Michael was also very devoted to Harvey Mudd College – its mission, its alumni, its students, and faculty. As a trustee, he continued to insure that Harvey Mudd College thrived while continuing to be the college that helped shaped him. It was always wonderful to be with him. Michael will be sorely missed.

Karen Angemi

HMC Staff

Working with Michael was both an honor and a joy. He had an incredible way of making every conversation thought-provoking, insightful, and even a little fun. His passion for HMC was evident in every decision he helped shape, always balancing deep historical knowledge with a keen eye for the future. Michael and Sharon were kind and generous. His presence will be missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire.

Dick Hoch ’63

Friend

As the years went by and we all suffered the vagaries of age, Michael seemed to maintain a youthful exuberance, embracing change and new ideas. He always welcomed a good argument and,as many learned , he was wicked smart.
A bright light went out when we lost him and our lives will now be a little duller.

David Baylor

Colleague and Friend

I served as a Trustee with Michael for over 15 years. He was a wonderful friend and mentor to me (a non alumni) on all things Mudd, and myriad other subjects. We served on several committees together and he was always thoughtful, insightful, respectful and caring in doing our work. I’ll miss our lively conversations and Michael’s good humor. My wife and I will miss the time we spent with Michael and Sharon over the years and Harvey Mudd College will surely miss his presence.

Laurie Girand

Friend

Mike was the Chair of the PPCPC Committee when I first joined the Board of Trustees in 2016. At this point, he was amongst if not the oldest trustees, and he could always be replied upon for the history of what came before and a keen perspective of the board’s transactions. My happiest memory, though, is of our playing pickleball together, both amateurs, at SmokeTree Ranch during a Saddlerock Retreat, shortly after his wife passed. Twenty years of age between us, and we had a great time rallying. I will miss him very much.

Joe Connolly

Fellow Trustee

I joined the Harvey Mudd Board in 2013, and from the beginning Mike was my friend and mentor. He was wise, funny, and always eager to engage in spirited discussions about any issue related to the college. I sometimes thought the first person who could understand Mike was the smartest one in the room was the second-smartest one in the room. I treasured our friendship and I’ll miss him terribly.