Robert W. O’Rear graduated from The University of Texas in El Paso with a degree in math and english in 1964, and in 1966 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a master’s degree in math and astrophysics. From 1966 to 1971 he was employed by TRW Systems in the Aerospace Division in assignments that included writing mathematical analysis programs in the assembly, Fortran and Jovial languages for missile targeting systems in ballistic missiles and spy-satellite systems. In TRW contracts with NASA, O’Rear helped to write the programs that guided the Command Module back through the Earth’s atmosphere during Apollo missions to the Moon. After finding success with an entrepreneurial venture, he interviewed with a software development start-up located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1977 he became employee number seven at Microsoft, Inc.

As Microsoft’s chief mathematician and project manager, O’Rear was the co-author of the first version of MS-DOS and helped place Microsoft’s software on the first IBM Personal Computer. When the IBM PC was released in 1981, O’Rear moved into international sales and marketing, launching Microsoft offices in Europe. He held a series of increasingly responsible positions, from helping to form the company’s international divisions to starting many of its subsidiaries around the world.

O’Rear retired from Microsoft in 1993. He resides with his spouse Cathy in Cyde Hill, Washington, near Seattle. His son David is a graduate in finance from Santa Clara University and lives in Kirkland, WA with his wife Aashima and their son Cameron David. A member of the College of Natural Sciences Advisory Council, he is also a life member of the Littlefield Society at The University of Texas at Austin.