Robert Ernest Zagotta

Zagotta, Robert Ernest age 74 of Dallas died peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 9, 2014. He was born to Albert C. and Elizabeth (Hedrick) Zagotta on January 14, 1940, and graduated from Purdue University with an Electrical Engineering degree. He married the former Sheila Prendergast on August 26, 1961 in Chicago, Illinois, after falling for her at a neighborhood Jewel Grocery store on the south side, where they both worked.

Bob worked for many years as an electrical engineer, first in Chicago, and then after relocating to Dallas, Texas to join the growing semiconductor industry, where he ultimately became President & CEO of EPI Technology. He retired from Microsemi Corporation, which acquired EPI, in 2008.

Bob was known far and wide as "the fixer of all things broken." He had a true engineer's mind and uncanny ability to solve problems with whatever assortment of tools and household items were available at that moment. His children and grandchildren only recently became aware that there are professional people called 'repairmen' in this world, and that appliances do have a life expectancy and could be replaced from time to time. Bob was also eager to help out friends and neighbors with their various 'projects'. It is rumored that no repairmen of any kind were seen on Clearhaven Drive from 1980 until 2008.

One of Bob's greatest passions was his cabin on Lake Marion, in the upper peninsula of Michigan, where he spent his summer vacations since his birth. His love for the cabin began as a small boy, catching frogs, fishing and playing in the lake - the same activities that his grandchildren now spend their summers doing (and winters dreaming about). After retiring, Bob was able to spend his Springs, Summers and early Autumns at the cabin, where he and Sheila made many new friends playing tennis, fishing, and going on martini-fueled 'sunset cruises' around the lake.

Bob will also be remembered for his incredible sense of humor. He had the unique ability to make people laugh - from his youngest grandchildren to his oldest friends and relatives. On Sunday afternoons he could typically be found on the family room floor, wrestling with various unsundry grandchildren (garnering severe reprimands from Grandma), or in the kitchen reminding everyone how long it had been since his last meal.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Sheila; daughter Kelly (Kent) Austin; sons Robert (Anne) Zagotta and Daniel (Kerry) Zagotta and seven grandchildren: Mark and Kara Austin; Vivian and Marshall Zagotta; and Abigail, Finnian, and Jude Zagotta. He is also survived by his brothers Albert (Karen) Zagotta and Thomas (Donna) Zagotta and many nieces and nephews. He will always be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend to all who knew and loved him.

The family will receive friends on Monday, December 15, 2014 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W Northwest Hwy., Dallas, TX 75225. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30am on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at All Saints Catholic Church, 5231 Meadowcreek Drive, Dallas, TX 75248. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Online condolences can be made at www.sparkman-hillcrest.com.