Klaus C. Wiemer

Klaus C. Wiemer earned a doctoral degree in physics from Virginia Tech in 1969. In addition, he holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in physics, both from the University of Texas at El Paso. Most recently, Wiemer served as the chairman of Techulon, an entity created and sustained by Virginia Tech alumni, which is growing in prominence in the world of innovative investment and entrepreneurship.

Wiemer had an illustrious and highly successful career in the semiconductor industry. He served as president, chief executive officer, and director of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing in the Republic of Singapore. Prior to that service, he was the first chief operating officer and president of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in Taiwan, which was the world’s first computer chip contract manufacturing company.

His career began at Texas Instruments, where he received numerous accolades for his accomplishments in the semiconductor industry during 15 years with the company. Over 20 years, Wiemer served on numerous technology boards, in the United States and abroad, that specialized in fabless integrated circuits, discrete specialty semiconductor devices, and microelectronics manufacturing plants.

A longtime friend and ardent supporter of the College of Science and Virginia Tech, Wiemer was a member of the college’s Roundtable Advisory Board, as well as the Department of Physics Advisory Board. He established the Clayton Williams Graduate Fellowship in Theoretical Physics in honor of his mentor, Clayton D. Williams, Associate Professor Emeritus of Physics at Virginia Tech. Wiemer was a member of Virginia Tech’s Ut Prosim Society and Legacy Society. 

Wiemer passed away on Aug. 8, 2014.