Robert T.N. Chen was an aeronautical researcher and aerospace engineer during the mid-to-late 20th century.

Robert Teh-Nan Chen was born in Tainan, Taiwan on November 25, 1934, to Pien Chen and Yi Chiu. Chen attended the National Cheng-Kung University, Taiwan where he received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1957. Following his graduation Chen completed a short period of military service for the Taiwanese government and then began working for the Taiwan Power Company where he was tasked with the operation and maintenance of a large electrical power plant.

In 1960, Chen moved to the United States to continue his education in mechanical engineering at the University of Washington, Seattle. He received his Master of Science Mechanical Engineering degree in 1962. Once Chen completed his master’s degree he began working as a project engineer for McGraw-Edison Co., followed by employment at Fairchild-Hiller Corporation.

In 1964, Chen began work with the Boeing Company’s Vertol Division in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While employed as an engineer with Boeing, he was tasked with developing applied optimal control theory and state variable analysis methods to helicopter flight, as well as conducting research on flight control of advanced V/STOL aircraft. During this time that he also attended the University of Pennsylvania. In 1968, Chen completed his PhD in Electrical Engineering, specializing in control theory.

Upon completion of his degree Chen moved to Buffalo, New York to work as a research engineer with Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory’s Flight Research Department. He continued his work in flight control of V/STOL aircraft. He remained in the research department from 1968 to 1975.

In 1975, Chen began working at NASA's Ames Research Center, initially serving as an aerospace engineer, then as a Group Leader, and finally as Senior Scientist of the Rotorcraft Division. While working in the Rotorcraft Division for NASA Chen focused on flight dynamic characteristics of rotorcraft in high-G maneuvers, roll-rate and roll-attitude feedback gains, engine failures in terminal-area operations, and UH-60 research helicopter called RASCAL. Chen retired from NASA in 2000. With his extensive work as an aerospace engineer, Chen received many awards: a NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal, 1986; three NASA Special Achievement Awards (1978, 1981, 1982); and the 1996 Best Paper Award from the American Helicopter Society San Francisco Bay Area Chapter.

In addition to his professional achievements, Chen was a member of the American Helicopter Society, the Taiwanese American community in California and Washington, and the Taiwanese Presbyterian Church.

Ann Chin-Hong Chen “Fu-Mei” and Robert T.N. Chen were married on May 28, 1959, in Tainan, Taiwan. The couple had four children together.

Robert T.N. Chen passed away on May 3, 2024, in Kirkland, Washington.

Biographical note derived from donor information.