Robert Falasca

1936 - 2026

Robert Falasca
03/03/2026
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert John Falasca, age 89, of Washington, DC, following a brief illness. He passed away on March 3, 2026.
Robert "Bob" Falasca was born to the late Weda C. Falasca and Anna M. Falasca (née Czel), and was raised in Norwalk, CT. He grew up with his sister, Carol Ann, and brother, Weda, and was proud of his Italian and Hungarian heritage – especially the Hungarian side. Bob was a lifelong learner and devoted Catholic. He studied botany and agricultural science at the University of Connecticut and The Pennsylvania State University. After college, he spent two years in Vietnam with the International Volunteer Service, working as an agricultural extension agent. There, he taught rural mountain farmers how to cultivate and market sustainable crops, such as green onions and coffee; his claim to fame was being the first person to bulb an onion in Vietnam. To the end of his life, Bob delighted in practicing bits of conversational Vietnamese with local restaurant staff and barbers. Following his time in Vietnam, he served in the U.S. Army, during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Most of Bob's professional career was based in Washington, D.C., where he served as an executive with the American Seed Trade Association and led the National Council of Commercial Plant Breeders and the American Seed Research Foundation. He lived on Capitol Hill for more than fifty years, and was a member of the Garden Club and a loyal parishioner of St. Joseph's on Capitol Hill.
Bob had a lifelong passion for plants and gardens. He was never without his small pocketknife, ready to take a clipping from a plant that caught his eye so he could try propagating it at home. He also had a true love of good food – especially oysters (raw or otherwise), Hungarian, Italian, and Vietnamese dishes. We will miss Bob's friendship, kindness, curiosity, and gentle humor.
Bob's memory will be lovingly remembered by his sister, Carol Ann Falasca, of Norwalk, CT; his brother, Weda C. Falasca (husband to the late Patricia Falasca) of Fairfield, CT; his companion, Glen A. Sams, of Washington, DC; his nephew, Brian W. Falasca, his wife, Lindsey, and their daughters, Isabelle, Charlotte, and Emily, of Washington, DC; as well as many cousins and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Norwalk, CT, at the time of his interment. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Joseph's on Capitol Hill, by visiting https://stjosephsdc.org/donate/ .