1921 – 2015
FARMINGTON — Robert Marshall, 94, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, Nov. 16, at the Pierce House with his son by his side.
Bob was born April 13, 1921, in Bristol, Conn., the only son of Mary Aziz and Absalom Moshool. His father passed away before he was born. He was raised in the Bronx, N.Y., and attended local public schools. He graduated from New York University with a degree in aeronautical engineering. Soon after graduating, he worked for Chance Vought as an engineer. It was here that he worked on the design of the F4U Corsair. He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 with the hopes of becoming a pilot; however, the Corps decided that he would be trained as a navigator. He completed his training but never saw combat. After World War II, he worked in the aerospace industry and later shared that his most fulfilling work was when he was part of the preliminary design group at Sikorsky Aircraft. There he laid out the preliminary design for the S-61 helicopter.
Robert was able to complete pilot training as a civilian in 1955. He was part owner of a Cessna 140 and earned a seaplane endorsement. Robert enjoyed flying in and out of the New York and Long Island area in the days when there were seaplane bases on the Hudson River. He retired from United Technologies after 30 years of service, working as a project engineer on spacecraft guidance systems.
Robert met his wife, Marion, in Bridgeport, Conn., after the war, and they were married in 1957. They spent time in Colorado as newlyweds and enjoyed skiing and driving their MGB. They relocated to Connecticut and made their home in Avon. After his wife passed away in 2003, he made plans to join his son’s family in Farmington and moved in 2004.
While in Farmington, he enjoyed being part of a larger family and seeing his grandchildren grow up. He was able to attend baseball games, soccer games and concerts. He read them stories when they were younger and shared his thoughts on life and politics as they grew older. He always encouraged them to excel. He taught them how to make stuffed grape leaves, otherwise known as dolma.
It was in Farmington that Robert was able to fully pursue amateur radio, a hobby he shared with his son. He was known by the call sign, WA1YEW. Robert was a member of the Bass Hill Repeater Group and enjoyed their meetings and group breakfasts, some of which were held at his home.
The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to Darleen Moar and the community of the Pierce House for taking such wonderful care of Bob in his last two years with us.
He is survived by his son, Tom Marshall; two grandsons, Thomas and Christopher Marshall; and a daughter-in-law, Barbara Marshall.
Condolences may be sent for the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com.
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