Robert Donald Zeisser

Robert Donald Zeisser was born on March 23, 1936 in Schenectady, New York, to Henry and Bertha (Rueger) Zeisser. He had one brother, Melvin. After high school, Robert attended Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA. where he earned a degree in Liberal Arts and Aircraft Maintenance. After graduation, he headed to California, where his parents had recently located in Sunnyvale. Rather than be drafted, Robert enlisted in the Army in January of 1960, and completed his basic training at Ford Ord, CA, where he was awarded “Outstanding Trainee of the 3rd Brigade”, before being assigned to the US Army Corps in Fort Carson, CO. Robert served as an electronics technician in the Radio Company of the 304th Signal Battalion (Opns), in Korea for two years. He attained the rank of Corporal (E4). Upon returning, he was assigned to the US Army Air Defense Command at Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. In January of 1964, he returned to Sunnyvale, CA, where he met the love of his life, Janet Plemons, at a singles bbq at St Paul’s Lutheran Church. Robert and Janet were married on September 11, 1965, and relocated to San Jose, CA., where they raised three daughters. Robert was employed with NASA at Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. As an aeronautical engineer, he worked in the wind tunnels testing experimental aircraft, including the space shuttle. After 30 years of service, he retired in 1994.

In 2011, Robert and Janet relocated to Madera, CA. to be closer to family.

Robert was a lifelong Christian actively involved in the Lutheran Church. He was a member of St Peter Lutheran Church in Clovis for the last ten years. He loved the Lord, and was a father of faith for his family. He always had a ready smile and warm words of welcome to all he met.

Robert enjoyed bowling, playing Mexican Train Dominoes, gardening, traveling, working on various home improvement projects, but most of all spending time with his family and friends.

Robert is survived by his wife of 57 years, Janet, daughters; Debra Hendricks, Lori (Rick) Kaufman, and Leslie (Michael)Fitzgerald, thirteen grandchildren, twenty- six great-grandchildren, and nephew, Steven Zeisser.

Robert was called home to be with His Lord on December 8, 2022.

“Well done, good and faithful servant!”