Robert C. Sharp

ROBERT C. SHARP Robert C. Sharp, age 81, died on November 16, 2005 at INOVA Fairfax Hospital from complications due to Alzheimer's disease. He was born on November 5, 1924 in Lowell, MA to the late Vere and Annie Wilson Sharp. Robert graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Art degree in Journalism. Robert was the beloved husband of the late Joan Gallagher Sharp, loving father of Robert C. Sharp, Jr. of Brea, CA and Paul T. Sharp and his wife Melissa of Centreville, VA, grandfather of Caitlan Sharp and Shannon O'Malley. Robert was a veteran of the United States Navy from 19411944 working as an Electrician's Mate, 2nd class, Pacific Campaign. He worked for Lowell Sun Reporter from 1949-1951 and then for General Electric Corporation for 26 years in Advertising and Public Relations. Robert was the GE Project leader on the USS Hornet on July 24th, 1969 that picked up the Astronauts from Apollo 11. He was instrumental in coordinating the communications between the ship and the spacecraft and spent over a week aboard the carrier Hornet. The Apollo 11 astronauts included Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, Aldrin and Armstrong were the first humans to walk on the moon that mission. He also worked for Westinghouse Air Brake, Pittsburgh, PA as the Vice President of Relations from 1978-1983, from 1983-1986 he worked as the Director of Communication s at Allegheny College, Meadville, PA. Robert then went on to work as the Vice President of Human Resources from 1983-1989 for the Fruit Growers Express, Alexandria, VA and then from 1989-1992 worked for CSX Corporation, Baltimore, MD as the Vice President of Public Relations. Mr. Sharp retired in 1992 to Vero Beach, FL. In lieu of flowers the family wishes that donations be made to Alzheimer's Association, Northern VA Chapter, 10201 Lee Highway, Suite 210, Fairfax, Va 22030