Robert Spinnler

1930 - 2013

Robert Spinnler, of Middletown, Connecticut died peacefully, with his family surrounding him, at Middlesex Memorial Hospital Hospice on October 10th, 2013. He was born in 1930 in Lynbrook, NY and was a graduate of Lynbrook High School and the State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler. Upon graduation he was an engineering instructor at the Maritime College, during which time he acquired a Master's of Engineering degree from Columbia University. He went to sea with American Export Lines and worked for American Electric Power Co. Bob was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy and served two years active duty retiring from the Naval Reserves as Lieutenant Commander. Bob and Irene moved to Connecticut where he worked for Pratt & Whitney (UTC) and subsequently for Energy Services of Farmington, CT, traveling all over the world building cogeneration plants.
Bob Spinnler is survived by his wife of 58 years, Irene Spinnler and their four children: Lisa Spinnler Townsend, her husband Tom and their two sons, Michael and Devon; Rob Spinnler; Karen Spinnler Goersch, her husband Jerry and their two children Chris and Jenny; and June Spinnler Gardner and her two children, Scott, Kate and step-daughter Kelly. Bob was predeceased by his elder sister, Evelyn Spinnler Unger. He is survived by his brother, Ralph Spinnler and wife Cynthia of Branford, CT, and sister, Florence Spinnler of Boise, Idaho. He is survived fondly by numerous nieces and nephews. Bob will be remembered as a kind and good man with a warm smile, who loved adventure, nature and endless fun times with his family: sailing, skiing, fishing, canoeing, gardening and playing card games. He will also be remembered as a quintessential handy-man-engineer; often found in his red barn, tinkering on a car, boat or engine of some sort. He took great pleasure explaining how things worked to his children and grandchildren.
Bob was a member of St. Pius X Church where he was a Eucharistic minister. He was an avid sailor and member of Sachem Head Yacht Club in Guilford, CT as well as a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), leading and participating in many exciting white water canoe trips. Bob has a home on Block Island where he enjoyed fishing and clamming well into his 80s.
A memorial mass will be held on Monday in St. Coleman's Church, Middlefield at 11am. Burial with full military honors will be in the family plot in St. Sebastian Cemetery, Middlefield. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:30am until the time of the mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Andrews Church, Spring Street, Block Island, RI 02807.
The Coughlin-Lastrina Funeral Home, 491 High Street, Middletown, is in charge of arrangements.