Robert L. Sackheim

Ron and Mavis Haigh saw Bob´s obituary on Google and are so sorry to hear of his passing so young. Ron 89 and Mavis 83 send best wishes to Babette and family. We remember many funny times in Torrance, California.

Bob encouraged me often on my decades of effort on the reciprocating feed system as a low-cost, fail-operational alternative to turbo pumps. I still have his note It just keeps getting better on my bulletin board at UAH. He was always striving to make space systems better and helpful to others by his open- minded and welcoming demeanor. I was blessed to know him.

Bob was the consummate rocket scientist, who also was a great historian of the American Civil War. A space visionary, who influenced and helped many young burgeoning rocket scientists - John London

ROBERT SACKHEIM - A LIFE WELL LIVED.

I worked at TRW Space and Technology from 1966 until 1992. Bob was the Laboratory Manager of three departments
in our Advanced Technology Division and had his office across the hall from my chemistry laboratory.
Later Bob was manager of the propulsion systems center in TRW's Space and Technology Division, where he was
responsible for design, development and testing of high energy chemical lasers, materials technologies,

Bob and I were friends since first grade at PS 241 in Brooklyn. His mother taught there. A few years later we both took up basketball and as the biggest kids of our age often guarded each other. Who would know that Bobs launching jump shots would lead to a career in aerospace?
I miss those days on the basketball court, but am glad to learn of Bobs achievements and the admiration of his friends, colleagues, and family.

I was sad to learn that Bob Sackheim has passed away last year. He came to the PERC at Penn State every year when I was a grad student there. He had such incredible enthusiasm for the rocket industry and he imparted that passion to everyone. It was a pleasure to present to him and just talk shop. A truly good man. My hearrfelt condolences to his wife and family. He will always be fondly remembered.

I'm so saddened by the loss of Bob. He was a great man, space pioneer, and American hero. I had the chance to work a small project with Bob in 2006. I served a programmatic role on the project and Bob was the senior technical advisor. I was the only one in the room that could not claim to be a rocket scientist (lol). I think my main job was to ensure Bob was cared for properly. Although we only worked together for a short time, I consider Bob to be my friend. He was someone I looked up...

A celebration of Bob's life will be held at 2:00 on Tuesday, February 25th, at the Huntsville Marriott, next to the Space and Rocket Center.

Babette,
I am so sorry we lost Bob. I know that he treasured you and his family and I treasure the time I got to spend with him at MSFC. He scared me to death at first, but then I realized he was really just a teddy bear! I could never get him to meetings on time with Art, but learned to work around him and we'd start staff meeting without him. He'd just grin when he finally made it. He will be missed.