Robert John MacDowall

Robert was a space scientist at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center from 1988 to 2022. His specialty was studying the Sun at radio wavelengths. He was involved in numerous deep space missions including Ulysses and the Parker Solar Probe.

Bob’s story: From Honesdale, Pennsylvania to the Sun

Honesdale in 1956 is described as a growing, tight-knit town in the Poconos. The town is known as the birthplace of the American railroad and remained with strong historical roots to railroading.

Robert (Bob) MacDowall was born on 08-March-1956 to Evelyn Riefler and Robert MacDowall. He grew up on the family farm in Honesdale, PA with sisters Kathy and Sharon. Bob was also known as “Rob” or “Robbie” to early childhood friends and family. He attended Honesdale High School in Honesdale and showed a keep interest in technical subjects.

In high school, Bob was known as “Humble Bob” and close friends from high school still refer to him that way. He graduated Valedictorian in 1974. After high school, he attended Swarthmore College, where he received a BSc in 1978. Following his graduation, Bob joined the NASA community and also completed his PhD at the University of Maryland, College Park in 1988 with Mukul R. Kundu as his thesis advisor.

While working on his dissertation, Bob spent a year at the Paris Observatory in Meudon, France working with Jean-Louis Bougeret and Jean-Louis Steinberg. He lived at the Cité Universitaire Internationale where he met Sophie Boisseau. Sophie and Bob were married in October 1987 and they had a daughter Laura in April 1996.

Dr. MacDowall also served as the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Code 695 branch head for a period of time.

He received numerous awards for his accomplishments; these are displayed in the hall. He retired in 2022.

Robert was predeceased by his parents Robert and Evelyn MacDowall.

Robert is survived by his sisters Kathy Davis and Sharon Gill as well as his wife Sophie Boisseau and daughter Laura MacDowall.