Robert Northrop Quade

Bob grew up in West Orange, New Jersey and graduated from West Orange High School in 1950. He attended Cornell University and graduated with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1954, where he was a member of Tau Beta Pi and the all-university Bronze Tablet. He received a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Yale University in 1955.

After completing four years of ROTC in college, Bob was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Army Corps of Engineers, serving on both active and reserve military duty. He rose to the rank of Captain before being discharged from the Army in 1962.

Bob began his professional career in the nuclear power industry, designing components for the Naval Nuclear Program. He moved to San Diego in 1962, where he embarked on a long and successful career with General Atomics, working in their power reactor program. He retired in 1986 as Director of the Advanced Reactors Division, and then cofounded Pacific Robotics, Inc., a company that designed and manufactured industrial robots.

Bob met his beautiful wife, Joyce, at a high school dance. They married in 1955 after all their schooling was completed, and soon set about raising a family of three children. The couple shared a love for dancing, which quickly became one of their favorite activities. They joined the Qui Vive Dance Club in San Diego in 1988, and continued with the Cotillion Club of San Diego. Bob served as president of both clubs.

Bob and Joyce also loved to travel, and roamed the world with friends and family. They visited dozens of countries on six continents while experiencing a variety of travel adventures from riverboat tours to African safaris. Bob especially enjoyed visiting his younger sister, Susan, and her family in Hawaii.

A man of many talents, Bob developed a passion for music and photography at a young age. He began taking piano lessons at age 10, and went on to become a skilled clarinet, string bass and tuba (sousaphone) player. The highlight of his musical career involved marching in the 1952 Rose Bowl as part of the Illinois University band. As a photographer, he provided pictures for his high school yearbook while earning money on the side doing class school pictures, home family portraits, dances and a wedding.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Bob lived life to the fullest, enriching the lives of all he came in contact with. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Joyce, their children Marjorie Archibald, Alan Quade, and Elizabeth Quade and grandchildren, Cameron Quade, Chelsea Wasylkiw, Alisha Benson, Megan Archibald, Ruby Celniker and Edie Celniker, and great grandchild Wyatt Wasylkiw.

The Celebration of Life will be held on August 6th @ 10:30am at El Camino Memorial Park 5600 Carroll Canyon Rd. San Diego, Ca. 92121

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to UCSD Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center Innovation Fund or a charity of your choice in Bob's name.