Robert Charles Perle

Robert Charles Perle

AGE: 84 • Toms River

Robert Charles Perle, 84, of Toms River, passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at home, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Chicago, Ill., at two years old, Bob and his parents, Charles and Katherine Perle moved to the Yorkville section of Manhattan, New York City. He attended Styversant High School and served in the Air Warden Service of the City Volunteer Protection Services. Bob began his college career at Cooper Union in New York City for Accelerated Wartime Engineering. After completing one year at Cooper Union, he was recruited by the U.S. Navy in 1945 and was trained as a Ground Control Approach Technician. In 1946, he received one of the biggest thrills of his naval career: he was one of the men detailed to accompany Admiral Byrd on his Antarctic expedition. The ice-breaker Burton Island whisked him off to Byrd's Advance Base Camp in Little America, Antarctica (the South Pole) and was a proud member of Task Force 68 "Operation High Jump". In 1947, he returned to the United States and was assigned to working with GCA units in various parts of the country until being discharged in September of 1949. He returned to Cooper Union to continue his studies, but was quickly called back for a second time to active naval duty and put aboard a destroyer. His training and knowledge was too valuable for the Navy to leave him in school. He served in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean aboard multiple ships, including the USS Haynsworth (DD700) and the USS Dashiell (DD659). His extensive naval career spanned both World War II and Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1953 and was finally able to obtain his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Cooper Union in June of 1957.Bob began his career as a Field Engineer in the early stages and development of the Satellite Communication Agency and Space Program for the Department of Defense at Fort Monmouth. By 1961, he was an integral part of Project Mercury which included the setting up of 23 satellites sending and receiving stations around the world. While he was employed at Fort Monmouth, he received his Master's Degree in Electronic Engineer. In the later part of the 1960's, he developed an accurate radio wave measuring system using the constellation Cassiopeia A. This system is still in use by many companies utilizing and making communication equipment today. He also was part of a team that developed the technology which led to the development of a combat helmet including night vision goggles and audio capability. There were many projects which Bob was involved with which were classified in nature. He retired in 1997. Bob was a true Renaissance Man. He loved music, literature and theater. Opera was a favorite and anyone visiting on an early Sunday afternoon would often find Bob listening to opera and reading his copy of the New York Times. Even though he spent his career developing communication technology, he preferred his hard copy of the Times to the high tech alternatives of today. He was an avid Jets and Mets fan. He vacationed with his family around the world, always sharing his great knowledge of history and fun facts with them. In recent years, he enjoyed vacationing in Key West and Fort Myers, Fla. with his wife and family, immersing himself in the relaxing atmosphere and tropical charm. Bob's witty sense of humor and fun loving spirit touched the lives of everyone he met. But more than anything else, Bob treasured and loved his family.

Surviving are his loving wife of 46 years, Virginia (Cassese); his three sons, Gary Perle and his wife Jacquelyn of Toms River, Charles Perle of Toms River, and Christopher Perle and his wife Melinda of Santa Cruz, Calif. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Elizabeth, Dylan, and Gloria.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 3 and from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 4 at "The Family Owned" Carmona-Bolen Home For Funerals, 412 Main St., Toms River. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph R.C. Church, Toms River. Condolences may be sent to carmonabolenfh.com.