Computer Scientist
From mailman to project engineer / computer scientist – an interesting journey!
EARLY BACKGROUND
Tarleton David Williams (TW), an African American, was born and raised in South Philadelphia, where for his public high school, he played football and for the track team, ran sprints and hurdles.
EDUCATION – PART ONE
Always a good student from elementary through high school, TW graduated with honors from Central High School.
FIRST JOB IS NEVER A BINDING CAREER COMMITMENT
Not certain about a future career path and lacking family resources to afford proceeding directly to college, TW’s first full-time adult job was “Letter Carrier” for the U.S. Postal Service.
A long-term career within the federal government’s postal service can be a positive mix of economic stability, outdoor tasks (e.g. delivering mail by walking a home or business neighborhood route in all varieties of weather conditions) with opportunities to remain physically fit and interact with people of all ages, but TW knew that he could use his math aptitudes to engage in a more mentally challenging career.
EDUCATION – PART TWO
While continuing to earn a salary as a postal worker during the day, TW arranged a combination of student loans and scholarships to enroll in college night and weekend classes, eventually earning a Bachelor’s degree in math and physics from LaSalle University. Later, he went on to complete graduate work in math and physics at LaSalle, electrical engineering at Penn State and engineering and financial management degrees from the University of Pennsylvania.
TW later completed postdoctoral fellowship programs in robotics and artificial intelligence at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles).
PROJECT ENGINEER TO COMPUTER SCIENTIST
Hired initially as an entry-level ‘project engineer’ by Remington Rand Inc,,’ TW’s daily dedication to learning how to solve complex, math-related engineering problems soon earned him promotion to Group Manager of Systems Research, followed eventually by even more responsible job titles: Department Manager of Systems Development, International Corporate Director of Systems Quality and Product Assurance at what is now Unisys Corporation.
Along his career path, TW was honored to become the first Black manager of the electronic computer division of his company, providing the opportunity to be the project engineer for the world’s first supercomputer, involving responsibility for the electrical design of the UNIVAC LARC supercomputer.
A decade later, TW oversaw the wiring of a $3.5 million computer for the Atomic Energy Commission.
Over the next four decades, TW contributed early innovative research regarding thin-film computer memory, fiber optics, circuit miniaturization and new design automation techniques. His papers and articles were printed in journals and educational publications, leading to recognition as “Outstanding Computer Scientist” by the Association for Computer Machinery.
Later in his career, TW spent five years as an IT (Information Technology) expert at Bacfor, Inc. and then consulted on IT and other matters for the Philadelphia Gas Commission and Gas Works, Opportunities Industrialization Center, Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Board of Education.
TW was a Fellow at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, board member of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering and active with other engineering and computer organizations. He lectured and taught at conferences and seminars around the world and to students at the University of Pennsylvania, University of Wisconsin, Penn State, Drexel and Howard Universities.
CAREER SATISFACTION
In a tribute, professional engineering colleagues called TW “a source of inspiration to all who knew him. He truly lived by the motto: Achievement in every field of human endeavor.”
At home, TW was proficient with carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and auto repair. A common refrain among his family was “Daddy can fix it.”
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This career story is based upon an obituary written by Gary Miles, published by The Philadelphia Inquirer on April 27, 2025 plus internet research.
