Born on January 25, 1920, Robert (Bob) was the youngest of five siblings: Albert, Jane, Angelina, and Mary. He passed away suddenly on February 3, 2011 at the age of 91. Survived by his loving wife Charlotte of 66 years, and his son Robert (Jr.), his daughter Joyce, twins Evelyn and Charles (wife, Nadereh), granddaughter Teresa, and his sister Mary (Di Iorio, Las Vegas, NV). He was an uncle to several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews.
Bob Betancourt was fluent in many languages--speaking, reading, and singing in German, Italian, Spanish, French, and English. In addition, he had an acute appreciation for classical music and opera. Some favorites were "Aida" by Giuseppe Verdi, "The Tales of Hoffman" by Offenbach, and the Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas.
Mr. Betancourt retired (1990) from Prestolite Wire and Cable, Port Huron, MI. and settled in Hemet, CA following a successful career as an inventor, scholar, teacher, scientist, and family man. He worked 50 years as an Organic and Polymeric Chemical Engineer. He worked in the Wire and Cable Industry specializing in Research and Development. He was an Emeritus Member of the American Chemical Society, Rubber Division (ACS). Bob kept current with Brown University Alumni (1941) and was active in Kiwanis, Warren, OH; Kiwanis, Williamsport, PA; and Knights of Columbus, Williamsport, PA; and management clubs.
Bob was born in Providence, RI, to his mother Avelina (from Astoria, Spain) and Joseph Reinne Betancourt (from the Canary Islands). After losing his father to pneumonia epidemic at the young age of 9 months old, his mother kept the family together by sewing children's clothes. Bob attended Norwood Grammar School in Norwood, RI. He kept correspondence with many of his friends at Norwood School. He was a member of THE RI Honors Society, NGS 1933 pin (circa 1930-1940). Bob graduated with honors from Aldrich High School (1937) Warwick, RI. Later, Bob was elected to the Aldridge High School Hall of Fame, with a plaque placed at the school entrance--Alma mater song: "I Love Life, I want to Live, I love Life". He Graduated from Brown University Class of 1941, BS Chemistry, and MBA, Golden Gate University, Drexel University, and several graduate schools.
Bob was a strong advocate of higher education. He continued with studies in different fields for many years. He said, "Education is the most powerful force for improving the lives of all people and very thankful for the help he received with his education. He was always interested in science, mathematics, and medicine. At Brown University Bob also studied pre-med courses, and won a complete scholarship to Harvard Medical School,
but he was intrigued by the advancements in chemistry.
Mr. Betancourt prided himself on keeping up with the news, current events, and international. He made it a habit to keep abreast of world news by reading newspapers, professional resources, community resources, using the global Internet, and other multi-media. He played a very active part in bringing his family and all those around him with technological advances from the fountain pen, radio, the world of television, computers, and email. Bob kept his mind active with playing chess, crossword puzzles, playing the piano or organ, and creating fun for his family with a "treasure hunt" for every birthday.
Here are some of his professional accomplishments and honors:
� Assisted with the development of the electrocardiograph (EKG) at Brown University with Professor Mitchell (Brown University, Providence, RI /1937-1941).
� Produced, while working as a Pre-Med student, a wax model of the human brain by digesting the proteins from thin slices of the brain, replacing them with wax.
ïÂ?Â? Assisted in the development of the May West inflatable life vest, synthetic rubber, collapsible fuel tanks, non-slip soles for sailors who would slip on the metal decks of ships supplying the Allies, and assault wire used for telephone communication on the battlefield. Developed retractile cords to send targeting information to aerial bombs that were able to perform at -65â° F (US Rubber Company, Providence, RI).
� Developed Gopher Proof underground-buried electric power cables, and the original retractable (memory) coiled cord with 13 colors, used initially by Bell Telephone (Whitney Blake, Hamden, Ct /1950-1960).
� Developed insulating electrical wires, development of and processing the "fusible link" to stop fires despite malfunction fuses (Walker Bros. and G.M. Packard Electric /Norristown, PA and Warren, Ohio /1960-1967).
� Developed with team effort, premi nipples for premature infants using natural rubber in place of synthetics (Walker Bros.; US Rubber Co.; Brown University; Warren, OH; Providence, RI /1965).
� Developed use of aluminum as a conductor requiring special insulants and process engineering. High voltage underground to replace overhead cable that endangered planes landing and taking off (Alcan Cable, Rocklin, CA USA and Bracebridge, CANADA /1967-1970).
� Designed a recycling water filtration and cooling system, lowering and eliminating discharge of pollutants into Pleasant Grove Creek, Roseville, CA; saving the company from Government fines, cost from use of city water and removing pollutants from the creek where cattle drank. Later to find this system applied in other states like Georgia, Florida, etc. (Alcan Cable, Rocklin, CA /1970).
� Administrative Leadership relocated plants for Alcan Cable: Burton, Ohio; Port Huron, MI; Arkansas; and Guars, MEXICO (Alcan Cable /1980-1991).
� Performed original work on fiber optic cable (Prestolite Wire and Cable, Port Huron, MI /1990).
Friends and family are welcome for visitation on Friday, February 11 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Miller-Jones Mortuary& Crematory, 1501 West Florida, Hemet, CA 92543 (ph. 951-658-3161) map. The family will meet at the Fallbrook Masonic Cemetery for a gravesite ceremony 1:30 p.m. located at 1177 Santa Margarita Drive, Fallbrook, CA 92028. Online condolences may be submitted to the family at www.miller-jones.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert 'Bob' Betancourt's honor appreciated by visiting: http://community.als.net/evelynpayne.
A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands laid to rest, and God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0