Robert Garth Williamson

Robert (Bob) Garth Williamson was born at home in Little Falls, Passaic, NJ on August 25, 1926, to parents James Henry Williamson and Ivy Lincoln MacCoun. He passed away peacefully at the age of 97, in the care of Hospice, on 10/31/2023 embraced by the love of his family. Bob was predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years Celestina Valievirde (Celeste Marie) D'Alessio (07/14/1931 – 09/12/2022), his son Robert Philip (02/27/1959 – 04/15/1984), and his brother Jay Sherwood Williamson (07/30/1924 – 08/09/1976). Bob is survived by his daughter Elaine Celeste Allen, his son Brian David Williamson, four grandchildren, and two adopted grandchildren. He was a resident of Danbury Connecticut and West Palm Beach Florida.

Bob was an exceptionally bright and compassionate individual who deeply connected with the hearts and spirits of countless people. By the age of ten, he was making Crystal Radios and stuffing them into matchboxes. This quickly progressed to repairing vacuum tube radios at a small radio repair shop in his neighborhood. While in high school he worked in a WWII electronic plant making Diverse Frequency Teletype receivers and transmitters for the Navy and was President of his High School Radio Club. In 1944, Bob joined the Army and during World War II was trained in the Signal Corps to repair radios, transmitters, and diesel generators. He was stationed at Fixed Station Radio Repair, Camp Crowder, Missouri. At discharge, Bob was a Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of General Antilles Repair Depot #2 at Trinidad, BWI. During the Korean Conflict, Bob served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and was stationed at Mitchell Field, New York (6/17/1950 - 6/16/1953).

Bob's insatiable thirst for knowledge led him on an inspiring journey of lifelong learning, where he eagerly pursued education at numerous institutions.

* Hamilton College, Clinton, NY (1944)

* RCA Technical Institutes: Electronics Technology (1949)

* Yale University (1952)

o Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

o Honors: Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Xi

o Award: Edward O. Lanphier Memorial Prize for inventing a Cubic Equation device to solve polynomials (e.g., Ax^3 + Bx^2 + Cx + D = 0)

* University of Connecticut (1962): Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

* University of Rhode Island: Graduate Certificate in Photometry

* University of Rochester: Graduate Certificate in Optics

* University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): Graduate Certificate in Charged Coupled Detector Program

* New York University of Rochester: Graduate Certificate in Manufacturing Management

Bob started his career at the Erco Radio Laboratory where he received the Army-Navy "E" Award for the outstanding production of war materials. He then worked for Sperry Rand Corp, Univac Division as Manager of Computer Development (1949 – 1963) as an Electrical Engineer he developed X-U 74 Computer. The first desktop computer with a Nixy Tube Screen, OR DOT Printer Output transistorized (one of the first) 4096 Magnetic Core Memory; Punch Card Input; High-Speed Printer Output. In his role as an electrical engineer, he was a circuit designer for the UNIVAC 2R Business Computer for the Last Rotor Cryptographic Machine for the National Security Administration (NSA).

He then worked for the Perkin Elmer Corporation (1963 - 1987) where he held various technical and leadership roles with Top Secret Clearance. As an electrical engineer, he developed the electronics for the “Flip Ship”, owned by the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) and operated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He developed the electronics for the “Radar Antenna Position Correction System” for the Gemini Astronaut Recovery program. As the Deputy Director and Program Manager, he was responsible for the development of all the electronics of the camera system for the Program 1 Hexagon Spy Satellite; and served as Director of Electrical Engineering for the Hubble Space Telescope.

Upon retiring from Perkin Elmer, he worked for the Danbury Corporation (1991 - 1998) as an Electrical Engineering Consultant where he developed all electronics and control assemblies for the 1.3 Meter Calypso Telescope and supported the installation and startup at the Kitt Peak National Observatory.

He was an Instructor of Electrical Engineering at Bridgeport Engineering Institute (1987 – 1989) and the University of Bridgeport (1987 – 1989). Passionate about STEM education, with the support of NASA and The Space Telescope Science Institute, Bob was invited to speak on multiple occasions at the Sherman Connecticut Elementary School.

Bob was a lifelong member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), having served as the past chairman and treasurer of the Fairfield County Connecticut Chapter. His contributions to IEEE have left a lasting legacy in the fields of Engineering; Computer Sciences and Information Technology; Mathematics and Cybernetics. He was also a lifelong member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, a testament to his unwavering commitment to scientific excellence and research, where his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of scientists and researchers. Bob also dedicated his time and expertise as a 'leader on loan' to the United Way for several years, making a profound impact on the community and exemplifying his passion for service and leadership. A descendant John Williamson (1750 – 1844), Bob was a member of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution, where he proudly honored his ancestors and their commitment to the principles of freedom and liberty.

Bob holds numerous patents where he was either the inventor or co-contributor: Logical Circuits, Nand and Nandor Transistor Switching Circuit; Monostable flip-flop for controlling card punch or printer; and Fluid Bi-Stable Switch which collectively have numerous citations and references.

Bob was recognized by the United States Congress for his distinguished service during World War II (Army), his service in the Air Force Reserves (Korean Conflict), and his engineering contributions to Innovative Overhead Intelligence Systems for National Security and Space Science and Exploration. He was also recognized by the State of Connecticut General Assembly for his military service and his advocacy for STEM education.

In his spare time, Bob could be found in his home workshop where he enjoyed making replica cannons and steam engines, repairing antique radios, and continually innovating. He also enjoyed genealogy, where he was able to trace the family lineage, with nearly 2,000 descendants, to Mellent, Normandy, France 942 AD.

Bob’s work was made possible by the sacrifices of his loving wife Celeste, who was the daughter of Philip D’Alessio and Carmela D’Arinzo. Celeste was born in South Norwalk, Connecticut (07/14/1931), and passed away in the care of Hospice at the age of 91 (09/12/2022). Celeste was predeceased by her brothers Vincent (Vinny) and Angell (Andy) and survived by her sisters Carole Hamila and Barbara Prodan. She was an accountant at the Hat Corporation of America; a secretary for Berliner Research; and a Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker.

Robert (Bob) Williamson was a loving husband, a devoted father, and led a life in service to others. While he will be missed, the family is comforted knowing that his contributions to science, technology, engineering, and math will live on and his legacy serves as an inspiration to all. Bob lived a great life, and with his work complete the family is at peace knowing that his soul has peacefully transitioned on to its next adventure.

A service with military honors will be held at Saint Peters Cemetery, Danbury, Connecticut on November 11th, 2023. Time to be announced.