Robert A. Bartkowiak

Robert A. Bartkowiak, 80, of Allentown, passed away on Monday, February 15, 2021 at home. He was the husband of Michalene M. (Mikanowicz) Bartkowiak. They celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary in May 2020.

Born in Wanamie, Luzerne County, PA, he was the son of the late Steve and Mary (Klus) Bartkowiak. Bob graduated from Berwick High School. He earned a BS in electrical engineering from Penn State, an MS in electrical engineering from Drexel, and had doctoral work at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Bob was a development engineer for RCA Astroelectronics Division in Princeton, NJ, and worked on the Nimbus weather satellite. After leaving RCA, he taught engineering at Penn State for over 40 years and retired as a Professor Emeritus in 2008. While at the University, he was awarded three Excellence in Teaching Awards, including two from the alumni group - Penn State Engineering Society. He wrote a number of text books, some of which were translated into Chinese and Portuguese.

Bob was a registered Professional Engineer (PE) in the Commonwealth of PA. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and had been granted Life Membership in both professional organizations. Bob was also a member of the Pennsylvania Earth Science Association.

Bob was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, where he had served as a lector for over 40 years. He was a volunteer committee member for Boy Scout Troop 140 sponsored by St. Paul's Church. After retiring from teaching, he continued his involvement with his technical societies. He also volunteered at the Da Vinci Science Center. Bob enjoyed traveling with his wife, Mickie. He was a life member of the Penn State Alumni Association and enjoyed attending Penn State football and basketball games with his wife and grandchildren.

Bob's family would like to thank the ALS team at the LVH Neurology Department, Bayada Hospice and his home helpers and others, who all were very compassionate, caring and understanding through this difficult time.

Survivors: his loving wife, Mickie; sons, David and his wife Kery of Palatine, Illinois and James and his wife Patricia of York; brothers, Alfred and his wife Phyllis of Nanticoke and Steve of Berwick; 6 grandchildren, Scott, Sean, Nicholas, Samantha, Michael and Matthew; 2 nieces.

Services: Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Monday, February 22, 2021 in St. Paul's R.C. Church, 920 S. 2nd Street, Allentown. A viewing for relatives and friends will be held from 10 AM until the time of the service, all in the church. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Wescosville. Social distancing will be observed and we request that face coverings be worn inside the church. Arrangements are entrusted to the K.V. Knopp Funeral Home, Inc., Allentown.

Contributions: in lieu of flowers, may be made to the ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia, 321 Norristown Road, Suite 260, Ambler, PA 19002, to Allentown Central Catholic High School, 301 N. 4th Street, Allentown, PA 18102 or to St. Paul's R.C. Church.