Liston Abbott has written more than 20 technical research papers and made several presentations in US and international venues, with emphasis on advanced communications systems.  This included microwave transmissions, cable TV systems, television broadcasting and receiving systems, space communications, and others.  Mr. Abbott designed systems for military communications in extremely severe environmental conditions.  He was one of the principal developers of a small-dish satellite transmission system that was employed to bring television service and emergency communications capabilities to the small villages in Alaska.  He conducted research and experiments for the system in his NJ-based laboratory, as well as in Alaska.  He was responsible for investigating the cause of a major communications problem that was encountered in the space shuttle communications system, and designed and built the devices that were deployed around the world and used to correct the problem before the first space shuttle was launched.  He conducted the transmission tests involved in certifying the technical operating performance for the start of the HBO satellite service.  He was responsible for the design and implementation of the Error Detection and Correction subsystem of one of the first High Definition television transmission systems, and also was a member of the FCC subcommittee that developed the testing protocols and procedures for High Definition TV transmission in the US.  He is recognized in one book on the history of HDTV as the person who pushed the button to start the first over-the-air advanced-television testing program.   Mr. Abbott has Seven US patents, one of which was featured in a NY Times article.  He has received many awards for outstanding professional service, including one for "Development of Techniques That Double the Transmission Capacity of Satellites."

Mr. Abbott has been involved in a lot of community service for many years.  He has been on the board of directors of a non-profit day care center for 37 years, serving as chairman of the board for the last 35 years.  He has been called upon repeatedly to serve as a role model in many schools, from elementary through the college levels.  He has been a member of many community organizations including the Council of Community Services, United Way, Big Brother-Big Sister programs, Community Action Program, Head Start, as well as served as an assistant cub-scout leader.  He also has been given many awards for community service, including the Lambert Award for "The Highest Honor We Can Bestow Upon A Person for Service to the Princeton Area Community."

Liston retired on May 31, 2000 after 44 years with the RCA/Sarnoff Corporation.  He currently does consulting on computer systems, computer programming, webpage design and maintenance, and a lot of other stuff, including continued involvement in community service and various mentoring and tutoring programs.

Liston is married to fellow Class of 1955 member, Joyce Christian Abbott, since April, 1963.  They have one son, Wayne, also an electrical engineer and enterpreneur, daughter-in-law, Pascale, and two grandchildren, Bergenoute and Wisnor.

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