John Robert Beyster facts for kids

John Robert Beyster (born July 26, 1924 – died December 22, 2014) was an American scientist and a successful entrepreneur. He is best known for starting a company called Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).

Dr. Beyster was the Chairman of the Board at SAIC until he retired in 2004. He was also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) until 2003. He was very interested in keeping the country safe (national security) and how nuclear power works (nuclear reactor physics). He also started two groups that help other companies let their employees own part of the business: the Beyster Institute and the Foundation for Enterprise Development.

John Beyster's Life Story

Growing Up and Early Career

John Beyster was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1924. He grew up in Grosse Ile, Michigan. He was one of the top students in his high school class.

When he was about to finish high school, World War II began. He joined the U.S. Navy. The Navy sent him to the University of Michigan as part of a special training program. He became a junior officer and served on a destroyer ship for a short time.

After leaving the Navy, Beyster continued his studies at the University of Michigan. He earned several degrees there. In the 1950s, he worked as a scientist for Westinghouse. He helped with their nuclear submarine program. Later, he moved to New Mexico to work as a research scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. In 1957, he became the head of a department at General Atomics, where he worked until 1968.

Building a Unique Company: SAIC

In 1969, John Beyster decided to start his own company. He used money he got from selling stock he owned and also got funds from the first employees who joined him. He named the company Science Applications, Inc. (SAI). Later, it became Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as it grew bigger.

At first, SAIC worked on projects for the U.S. government. These projects were about nuclear power and studying the effects of weapons. What made SAIC special was how it was set up. Unlike most companies, the employees owned the company and shared in its profits.

In 2012, SAIC split into two separate companies. One kept the name SAIC, and the other became known as Leidos. Both companies work on projects related to technology, national security, energy, and health care. When Dr. Beyster retired from SAIC in 2004, the company was making billions of dollars each year and had over 43,000 employees.

Helping Others and Sharing Knowledge

In 1986, Dr. Beyster started the Foundation for Enterprise Development. This group helps businesses grow and encourages employee ownership around the world. In 2004, the Foundation started the Beyster Institute. This institute teaches and advises people about employee ownership and starting new businesses.

Dr. Beyster wrote or helped write about 60 papers and reports. He also wrote two books. One book, The SAIC Solution, was about how he built his employee-owned company. The other book, Names, Numbers, and Network Solutions, was about the internet.

He was a respected member of many important scientific groups. These included the American Nuclear Society and the National Academy of Engineering. He also helped lead the board of directors for the University of California, San Diego Foundation.

Later Life

John Beyster passed away at his home in La Jolla, California, on December 22, 2014.

Outside of Work

John Beyster was a former naval officer. He loved sailing and owned a motor yacht called Solutions. While he was still at SAIC, his company supported and helped design technology for some U.S. teams in the famous America's Cup sailing race.

John Robert Beyster married Betty Beyster in 1955. They had three children together.

Awards and Recognition

John Beyster received many awards for his work. The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency gave him an honorary award for his great contributions to their agency. He also won the Engineering Manager of the Year Award in 2000. In 2001, he received the Spirit of San Diego Award. He also got a Lifetime Achievement Award from Ernst & Young in 2003.

In 2006, a group in San Diego gave him the Herb Klein Civic Leadership Award. This was for his excellent leadership in solving local problems by working with different groups. He also received a lifetime achievement award from the CONNECT program at the University of California, San Diego. This was for helping the community for 25 years. In 2008, he was chosen for the Horatio Alger Award, which honors people who have overcome challenges to achieve success.

Also in 2008, Dr. Beyster was added to the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

On April 11, 2012, the computer science and engineering building at the University of Michigan was renamed the Bob and Betty Beyster Building (BBB) in honor of him and his wife.

In 2019, a 42-foot research vessel, the RV Bob and Betty Beyster, joined the fleet at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. This ship also carries their names.

There is also a garden named the Bob and Betty Beyster garden. It is located at the entrance to the Sulpizio Center at UCSD Thorton Medical Center.