Obituary of Robert David Gengelbach II

Robert David GengelbachII devoted and loving father passed away on February 11, 2020 at Rochester General hospital with his wife and daughter at his side. Pre deceased by his son Robert D. Gengelbach, III. Robert is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Darlene; his daughter, Suzanne (Douglas) Best; his daughter-in-law, Sarah Gengelbach; 5 grandchildren, Ian, Amanda & Meghan Best, Christina & James Gengelbach; also his Cat Tashi. Robert was born on Sept 30, 1939 to Robert and Eunice Gengelbach in Aurora, Ill. Robert married his soul mate Darlene on June 10,1960, they completed their family with two Children, Robert III 1961 and Suzanne 1965. Robert was an avid reader and was always seeking new knowledge Robert graduated from Whitman collage with a degree in physics in 1961 and continued on to Columbia U where he studied electrical engineering. He went to work in the research department for Regel Paper Corp. and continued his studies at Temple University where he earned a MA in Physics. In 1967 he moved to Rochester and worked for Eastman Kodak for over 25 years, in satellite photo reconnaissance & copier development he retired in 1991. He studied optics, mathematics and statistics at the U of Rochester earing a MS, MA and worked with the Rochester Institute of Technology Research Group. He started an Illumination Design Co. (Illumitech) in 1995 with U of Chicago partners. The company designed all the outside task and navigation lights on the Navy's New DDG1000 stealth destroyer. Robert loved the outdoors and spent his summers at his Spirit Lake, Idaho cottage with his grandkids and family. When he wasn't studying, he served in the USMC reserves, was a scout master, canoeist, camper, swimmer, runner and successful local tennis player. A celebration of life ceremony will be held this summer at his lake property.