BIOSTATISTICIAN & PROFESSOR
Over 65 years, I practiced and taught statistics in multiple fields—fisheries, oceanography, education, psychology, sociology, economics, agriculture, space exploration, business, marketing, military simulations, and, for the last three decades, medicine.
Now that I have left the hospital and retired from SDSU as Professor Emeritus, I have time to pursue my childhood goal: writing fiction.
WRITER, NON-FICTION
Statistics in Medicine is a widely used textbook and guide for medical researchers to plan their studies and conduct the analysis that affects huge numbers of patients. Having passed through four editions, it illustrates methods through multiple medical examples. Additional information is in the Non-Fiction Books page.
In addition to the book, I have published 165 scientific articles, listed in the Articles page. Although I advised on over 3,000 studies, I listed as publications only those to which I contributed significantly as an author.
WRITER, FICTION
My retirement career is writing fiction. I have published a novel, multiple short stories, and poetry. I have written two more novels and many more shosrt stories waiting to be published. I received the Odin writer’s award in 2024..
Thank Ye, Mister Sun was published in March 2025 by Konstellation Press. It is available on Amazon and several other book sites. It is the story of a boy finding courage to take on adult responsibility no young boy should have to meet. As it tells the story of his coming of age in depression-era Appalachia, it paints a portrait of the culture of that time and place.
See the Fiction Books page for more information.
A Theft of Sanity (#1 in the Theft series) is a technically realistic adventure thriller set largely in and under the sea. A weapon of mass destruction is hidden on the seafloor by a rogue nation. A scientist and his quirky team must discover it and learn its purpose while enemy agents resort to sabotage, attack, and kidnapping to stop them.
See the Fiction Books page for more information.
A Theft of Joy (#2 in the Theft series) is the story of a woman artist blackmailed with the threat of a scandal and her scientist partner who faces danger to find evidence of her innocence. In this thriller, the reader encounters crime, mystery, suspense, love, devotion, a lesbian love affair, an innovative villain, and a touch of violence.
See the Fiction Books page for more information.
ABOUT BOB RIFFENBURGH
Having retired from scientific work, I am now pursuing a career as a writer. Previously, I experienced a series of professions—now university Professor Emeritus, I have also been a company CEO, oceanometrician, ocean sailor, Navy diver, government scientist, NATO officer in Europe, and, for three decades, planner/analyst for medical research.
I have been fortunate to have had a beautiful and talented wife for 63 years and to have 4 fabulous children and 7 phenomenal grandchildren with whom I share love and adventure.
More information is on the Personal page.
