Robert "Bob" Phillips

Robert "Bob" Phillips, 64, of Acton, MA, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
Born October 22, 1960, in Plainfield, NJ, Bob was the son of the late Bernard and Mary Ann (Kling) Phillips. He grew up in Norwood, MA, and earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. In 1990 he married Kathleen Wilson, and together they settled in Acton, MA, where they raised their son James.
Bob was an accomplished mechanical engineer, working first on digitizing pads at Pencept in Waltham, imaging systems at Graphix LX in Ashland, 3D printing systems at Z Corporation in Burlington, and sophisticated high-voltage pulse modulators at Diversified Technologies in Bedford. He loved to share his work, bringing home prototypes, when possible, to show off to others. He held several patents related to 3D printing. After retiring in 2023 he continued to make technical contributions through ResearchGate, writing papers on the nature of gravity, the energy of matter, and the Bernoulli effect.
Bob had a curious and inquisitive mind and explored the world through a number of pastimes, including woodworking, rock hunting, photography, and reading. His passion was metal detecting - he loved hunting for historical artifacts in the Concord area and would research the history and origins of every find. He appeared in several episodes of This Old House, finding keys and cannonballs of historical significance to colonial-era homes being restored. He enjoyed golfing and skiing, and relished his long walks in the woods. He also loved the family home in Harwich, spending time clamming, kayaking, and turning burls into bowls. Bob had the ability to connect with people of all ages by enthusiastically sharing his hobbies. His sense of wonder at the world was contagious and was rivalled only by his sense of humor. He was a kind-hearted and giving person who generously provided his help whenever the opportunity arose. Above all was the love for his wife, son, extended family, and friends.
Bob is survived by his wife Kathy and son James and his partner Sarah Hamilton; siblings Janie and her husband James Schwab, Teresa and her husband Charles Katuska, Stephen and Sam, Paul and his wife Joan, Christopher and his wife Diane, Michael and Sonia, and Anne Marie and her husband Charles Heinle; in-laws James O'Connor, Nancy Wilson, Tom Wilson and his wife Linette, and Amy McGreevy and her husband John. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Mark and Andrew, and sister-in-law Susan O'Connor.
Relatives and friends will gather to celebrate Bob's life during a period of visitation in the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center on Friday, January 17th from 10:30 am until 12:00 pm, concluding with a time of remembrance.
Donations may be made in Bob's memory to the Harwich Conservation Trust.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.