Robert T. Anderson

Robert T. Anderson, 76, of Randolph, NJ passed peacefully at Villa Marie Claire Hospice in Saddle River, NJ, on Monday March 9, 2026. Bob, as he preferred to be called, was pre-deceased by his parents: William L. Anderson Jr, and mother Alice H. (Bernabei) Anderson; his sister Irene H. (Anderson) Flaherty, and two brothers, William G. Anderson and David G. Anderson.

Bob was born in Newton, MA, and graduated from Newton North High School in 1967. He served in the US Army Reserve where he trained as a machinist, skills he taught high school students in his retirement years. In 1976, Bob earned his BS in chemical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. From 1990 until retirement in 2006 Bob worked for Swiss pharmaceutical maker Ciba in Summit, NJ and its successor Novartis in East Hanover, NJ. Bob was a specialist in computer system validation which ensures that computerized systems in regulated industries, like pharmaceuticals, operate as intended and comply with FDA regulations.

In his first years as a retiree, Bob focused on golf, cabinet making, reading, and collecting glass figures. In 2011 Bob began what he later described as some of the happiest years of his life. He joined the Montclair Society of Engineers (MSE) in 2011, served as VP of hospitality, and was a generous donor to its Engineering Scholarship Fund.

Most importantly to Bob, he became a devoted mentor to the Clifton high school robotics team, the Mechanical Mustangs, where he was beloved by the students and fellow mentors for his kindness and quirky sense of humor. As a mentor Bob passed on the skills he learned as a machinist in the Army Reserve. To quote one robotics student, "I remember Bob showing me how to use the milling machine for the first time and how enthusiastic he was. He made me believe I could do it. He made me believe in myself." Bob also used his engineering training to help students design robots. The students appreciated Bob's dedication to their team and were accustomed to seeing his little red convertible at the shop during robot build season every day when they arrived from school. When the robot(s) would climb during the endgame, students would yell, "Thank You, Bob" because he led the climbing Mechanical team.

Bob is survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

We are grateful for the years we shared with this kind and generous man.

Bob will be interred in the family plot in Wayland, MA in a private service.

Memorial donations (for the scholarship fund) may be made to the Montclair Society of Engineers, James Hobin, 82 Gordonhurst Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043.