Robert Michael "Bob" Haskins

ROBERT "BOB" HASKINS Cedar Rapids Robert "Bob" Michael Haskins, a longtime resident of Cedar Rapids, died on unexpectedly on Jan. 1, 2021, at the age of 62, from cardiac arrest. Bob was a 1976 Graduate of Lowell High School, Lowell, Ind., and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind. Bob moved to Cedar Rapids in 1980 and worked for Rockwell Collins Aerospace for 33 years, retiring in 2013. He was part of a close-knit engineering group working on aviation radio and other technologies. Bob was an avid life-long learner and reader, especially in the areas of physical science and history. He was a self-trained amateur astronomer and served as a Board member and volunteer with the Cedar Amateur Astronomers, Inc. Bob spent many late evenings at the Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center with the other night owls, viewing the night sky and operating the telescopes, along with helping visitors understand what they were seeing and answering questions during public events. He also enjoyed traveling, learning about financial investing, and was a generous contributor to many children's charities and local food banks. Bob will be remembered for his kind heart and gentle nature, his determined independence, his curiosity and love of learning and his wonderful laugh. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family and all who knew him. A devoted brother, uncle and son, Bob is survived by his brothers, David Haskins of Schererville, Ind., and Kevin Haskins of Monroe, Wash.; his sister, Lisa Haskins of Denver, Colo.; and 12 neices and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Ruth Haskins of Valparaiso, Ind. Due to the pandemic, funeral services in Lowell, Ind., and a memorial gathering in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will be scheduled at a later date in 2021. Please contact lhnina@yahoo.com to receive future information for these services. Memorial donations can be made to the Cedar Amateur Astonomers Inc. at cedar-astonomers.org.