Robert Zepp Hollenbach

takes photo

HIGHLAND PARK, N.J., - Robert Zepp Hollenbach, 84, a retired UMass Lowell professor and former longtime Lowell resident, died Friday, Dec. 13, in New Jersey. He was the husband of Louise Blake Hollenbach, who died in 1994..

He was born in Hatfield, Pa., on March 26, 1918, a son of Paul Hollenbach and Elsie Zepp he was brought up in New York City. He earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his master's from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He had briefly resided in Highland, Park, and had also been a resident of Needham, Mass.

Mr. Hollenbach lived in Lowell for 35 years, during which he was a professor of mechanical engineering and professor emeritus at Lowell Technical Institute, the University of Lowell, and UMass Lowell. He was known to his students as "F.D.B." from his frequent exam comment: "Draw the free-body diagram!"

Before becoming a professor, he worked as a design engineer for the Corning Glassworks Co.

Mr. Hollenbach enjoyed local politics, walks, cooking, genealogy, storytelling and puns, and was a fan of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan novels.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas Hollenbach and his wife Lilliam Rosado Hollenbach of Highland Park; a daughter and son-in-law, Ann Hollenbach Barrett and her husband David Barrett of Needham; two grandchildren, Mia Hollenbach and Elizabeth Barrett; and a sister, Mary Fusco.

Mr. Hollebach's son, Mark Robert Hollenbach of Dunstable, died Dec. 26. He was also the brother of the late Paul and Frank Hollenbach.