Born in Indonesia to a Dutch father and Indonesian mother. Many memories were shared with us over the years, some light hearted and funny, some were not. One of the stories was about an orangutan that had spent some time with the family, including having meals at their table. His father an early cancer researcher and his mother was a nurse.
Following WWII, he moved to the Netherlands and joined the Dutch Navy. He was a radar specialist, a new technology at the time. This engineering experience would be forthright during his life contributions and accomplishments. There he met Adriana on the beach in Amsterdam, she was playing volleyball and hard to get. He was persistent. Bob Jr. and John were born in Holland.
A sponsor family in the United States took Bob, Adriana, Bob Jr. and John in as immigrants to the USA. Soon landing a job but with little money he walked a dozen miles to work in the morning and home each day. Frank was first born on US soil. They became proud citizens and received a wonderful ceremonial Stars and Stripes we still have today. Bob loved his family and provided them a typical life in the San Fernando Valley and later in Thousand Oaks, California.
His contributions to the USA, society and the companies he represented as an Engineering Leader are many. He obtained a Professional Engineering License which few engineers hold. Early space exploration telemetry and computing, reliable computer hardware, advanced technologies for commercial, aerospace, defense, medical, biomedical and implantable medical devices. Innovative electromechanical, manufacturing tooling/testing/processing, highest levels of control/compliance, mission reliability and safety. One of the innovations Bob provided to the world were safe and effective pacemakers. When these devices were first being produced they posed a threat to their recipients; technology had exceeded process capability. Working at night, using a laser intended for a different purpose, he discovered a methodology to improve the process of welding or ‘closing’ the two halves of the titanium enclosure. Prior to this, electrostatic welding was used which would expose copper which is a dangerous element inside the body. Using the laser to burn concentric circles on the two sides of the enclosure proved to become a standard within the implantable medical device industry, saving lives and companies from expensive lawsuits.
We and those who knew him will miss him but always remember the times we shared together and the sacrifices he made for us. His life will not be forgotten and his reflection on us will endure.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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