Robert W. Gore, the inventor of Gore-Tex, who turned Delaware-based WL Gore & Associates into a $1 billion company, died on Thursday at the age of 83.

Gore was named after "Bob". The most famous is that he discovered a multifunctional polymer in 1969, which was the first breathable and waterproof fabric. He introduced Gore-Tex technology to the world in 1976. Gore served as president of this Newark-based company from 1976 to 2000.

Gore "paved the way for advancements in industries such as high-performance fabrics, medical devices, space exploration, and filtration. After serving on Gore's board of directors for 57 years, he served as honorary chairman in 2018, with 30 of them serving as chairman," the company Said in a statement announcing his death.

Gore became a $1 billion company in 1996. Then, Gore said: "We plan to leave a legacy for society and future generations: babies who undergo surgery to reconstruct their hearts because of our medical products; governments that can better protect their free society thanks to defense products; because With our filtration and sealant products, the community has a cleaner and healthier environment; yes, because of our Gore-Tex Outerwear, people have more fun outdoors."

This Delaware company was founded in many ways by a sense of frustration inspired by curiosity.

In order to make plumber's tape at low cost, Bill Gore asked his son Bob to figure out how to stretch Teflon. Many people know DuPont's commercial name Teflon.

Bob spent several hours in a laboratory on Newark Paper Mill Road, slowly pulling the heated PTFE rod. They broke every time.

Then one night, very late, after hours of failed attempts, Bob did his best to yank his last PTFE rod. The results are shocking.

The pole expanded the length of his wingspan without any change in its diameter. He soon discovered that the properties of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (later known as ePTFE) were more than just cost savings. It is stronger than PTFE and porous, while maintaining a unique microstructure.

Greg Hannon, chief technology officer of WL Gore & Associates, said last year: “Bob always tries simple things instead of planning a lot of complicated experiments.” “We have produced thousands of materials, and all materials are brought to life. An idea of ​​a certain result."

The company celebrated the 50th anniversary of Gore's discovery last year.

In addition to making Gore a global company in 15 industries and more than 25 countries, the principles behind opportunity discovery—practical learning, curiosity and adventure—become the basis of Gore’s guiding philosophy.

"This is indeed a fulcrum in the history of this company," Hannon said. "Without it, our organization would be far less important than it is today."

Gore has received many honors during his career, including the John W. Hyatt Award from the Society of Plastics Engineers, which brings benefits to society through the use of plastics, and the Applied Chemistry Innovation awarded by the Chemical Industry Association (American Chapter) The Perkin Medal that led to business development). He is also an active member of the American Chemical Society and the 2019 Carothers Award winner (Delaware Chapter).

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Gore was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1937. He is the eldest of the five children of WL Gore & Associates founders Wilbert L. (Bill) and Genevieve W. (Vieve) Gore. After World War II, Bill joined the DuPont workforce and was eventually transferred to the experimental station in DuPont, Delaware, where the family moved there in the 1950s.

The family bought land in Newark and started building houses with the help of Bob and other members of the Gore family. The company stated in its press release that Bob lived a "fairly ordinary teenage life", "playing the trombone, participating in sports, and serving in the student council."

Gore then received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware, and a master's degree and doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota.

In his second year of college, he solved early technical challenges, which helped start his parents’ company, which was founded in 1958 in the basement of their Delaware home.

Gore focuses on exploring the untapped potential of fluoropolymer PTFE, serving the wire and cable industry in its early years. In 1969, as part of the historic Apollo 11 mission, the company's cable technology landed on the moon.

In 1976, Bob succeeded his father as president and chief executive officer of Gore. Under his leadership, the company's technological achievements are flourishing.

Gore CEO Jason Field said in a statement: "Bob Gore appreciates that if entrepreneurship is encouraged and cultivated, innovation can come from many different places." "The whole process of Bob's tenure as president and chairman. In, innovation is activity. Doing things with your hands, experimenting, testing and observing, has been instilled in our company.

"When I said that I grew up as a leader under Bob's guidance, I was sure that I represented all my colleagues. His passion for the quality and performance of our products and his sharp questions and insights not only shaped our technical efforts Culture and shape our core values."

Gore is also a famous philanthropist. He served as a trustee of the University of Delaware Research Foundation and a member of the school board.

In 1998, Bob and his mother donated funds to build a teaching building on the green space of the university. In memory of his family, the teaching building was named Gore Hall. In 2013, Bob and his wife Jane contributed to the development of the university's science and engineering research laboratory and were named after them. Bob has also made significant contributions to the University of Minnesota and other institutions.

"Bob's innovative spirit has shaped our business from the beginning and paved the way for WL Gore & Associates to improve life and industry," said Brett Snyder, Gore's nephew and current chairman of the board. Break new ground and develop solutions to make the world a better place. "

Behind Gore was his wife Jane and a large family consisting of children, grandsons and great-grandchildren, four siblings and a large family.

Jane said in a statement: "Bob is a generous and humble man. He is loyal to his wife and loved by children." "His innovative spirit has allowed WL Gore & Associates, Inc. to grow into what it is today. Enterprise. His family and many others will miss him."

His eldest son Scott said: "Father played many roles at Gore: scientist, engineer, businessman, president, chairman of the board, and mentor. He avoided titles. Although he had a PhD in chemical engineering, he always insisted that people Call him "Bob".  

"In most cases, Dad considers himself an associate and wants to be part of a company that improves the human condition through products such as medical treatment and pollution control equipment. He admires and always praises thousands of colleagues for establishing Gore’s work has entered today’s company. His family, friends and colleagues will miss him very much because of his love, dedication, dedication and sincere concern for their happiness."

The memorial plan has not yet been announced.

Reporter Brandon Holwick contributed to this story.

Contact Jeff Neiburg at jneiburg@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeff_Neiburg.