Mr. Adam Kissiah

Adam Mark Kissiah, Jr. MERRITT ISLAND, FL - Adam Mark Kissiah, Jr., 85, loving husband and father of four, passed away on December 31, 2014, in Merritt Island, FL. Adam was born July 19, 1929, in Charlotte, NC, the son of Adam Mark Kissiah and Claude Atis Spears. Adam is survived by his children, Ron, Donna, Karen, and Michael (wife Kimberly); grandchildren, Hunter, Katie, Parker and Jordan. Other surviving family includes his brother Harvey Kissiah of Charlotte, NC; and nieces and nephews. Adam was preceded in death by his parents, Adam Mark Kissiah and Claude Atis Spears of Charlotte, NC; his wife of 57 years, Barbara Kissiah, five sisters, and one brother. Adam's kind-hearted, gentle nature touched the hearts of everyone he knew. He was a loving and dedicated husband and father who spent his life taking care of everyone around him. He was a graduate of UNC, a veteran of the Korean War. As a NASA engineer for 29 years, he worked on multiple missile and shuttle launches. As the inventor of the Cochlear Implant, Adam received several prestigious awards, including the Space Act Award, and induction into NASA's Space Technology Hall of Fame. In the midst of the recognition surrounding his invention, his humble nature prevailed when he said "it is nice to know I contributed to making many lives better." Services for Adam will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at Sharon Memorial Park, Charlotte, NC. Memorial donations may be made to Midwood Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC, or Redeemer Lutheran Church, in Merritt Island, FL.