Robertson Fuel Systems founder Dr. S. Harry Robertson, known for the past 50 years as the “father of crashworthy systems,” has died at the age of 87. He invented the self-sealing “Robbie Tank” that is credited with saving thousands of lives.

“Harry Robertson’s impactful work on creating crash survivable fuel systems for the rotorcraft industry and military forces has saved over 9,000 lives and continues strong for over 45 years,” said Newman Shufflebarger, president of Robertson Fuel Systems. “Everyone at Robertson is proud to continue Harry’s legacy of saving lives and his absence is a true loss.”

Born Oct. 2, 1934, in Phoenix, Robertson graduated from Embry-Riddle School of Aviation before joining the U.S. Air Force. His service led him to participate as an examiner in military aviation accidents and he became interested in the damage caused by post-crash fires, according to the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

In the 1960s, he formed Robertson Research Engineers and spent seven years analyzing crash-test results on 40 full-scall aircraft to gain an understanding and solve the issue of crash impact on aircraft fuel tanks. Receiving a large order from Hughes Helicopters in 1974, he launched what was initially known as Robertson Aviation in Tempe, Arizona, and produced the crashworthy Robertson Fuel Systems, which were nicknamed Robbie Tanks by the military.

Robertson has received numerous recognitions for his pioneering work, including the Living Legends of Aviation/Kenn Ricci Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award, and has been inducted into the San Diego Air & Space Museum Hall of Fame, National Aviation Hall of Fame, U.S. Army Aviation Hall of Fame, and OX5 Aviation Pioneers Hall of Fame.

A professional member of numerous organizations, he served on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Board of Trustees for more than 20 years. He ultimately retired to his ranch in northern Arizona, where he raised cattle.