Robert S. Bicknell

Robert Bicknell of the Commons in Lincoln, MA died peacefully on July 19, 2025 at the age of 93. Bob graduated from Ridgewood, NJ High School in 1949 and in 1953 from the United States Naval Academy with honors where he was an All-American soccer player and 19th Company Commander.
After graduating from the Naval Academy, he was commissioned in the United States Air Force and was assigned to the 38th Bomb Wing (Tactical) to fly in the B57B light bomber at a NATO air base in France. As assistant to the Wing Navigator, he received the Air Force Commendation Medal for improving capabilities using the Shoran bombing system and helping the Wing achieve operational status.
He completed the Astronautics Course at the University of Michigan in 1960 receiving a Professional Engineering degree in Ae. and Astr. Engineering and a Master's degree in Instrumentation Engineering. He was then assigned to the USAF Ballistics System Division. As project officer for the Titan II Inertial Guidance System, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for guidance system improvements.
Bob left the Air Force in 1963 to begin his career as an Aerospace Engineer at the M.I.T. Instrumentation Laboratory as an Assistant Director and member of the development team for an advanced inertial system that was the predecessor to the MX ICBM guidance system. He made significant contributions to the design definition so that industry bidders could produce the laboratory design. Later he joined the Analytic Sciences Corp. (TASC) as a Division Director. He was responsible for developing acquisition methods for modern avionics to motivate developers to reduce operating costs. During his Aerospace Engineer career he achieved the Associate Fellow grade in American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the title of Certified Professional Logistician by the Society of Logistics Engineering.
Bob enjoyed an active lifestyle of tennis, golf, sailing and skiing, which he continued after his retirement in 1990. Both Bob and his wife Peggy were active volunteers with AFS international, a worldwide student exchange program. Bob also formed a partnership to improve affordable housing opportunities in Lexington. Bob and Peggy were both active members of Hancock Church in Lexington serving in many roles, most importantly as leaders of a program to help ministers in training at their church.
Bob was predeceased by his wife, Margaret (Peggy) after 67 years of marriage and is survived by his daughter, Sheryl (Bicknell) Kovalik and spouse John Jr. DMD, son, David and spouse Donna, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Services will be announced at a later date. Donations can be made in his name to Hancock United Church Of Christ 1912 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02421.