Robert V. Stachnik

AGE: 67 • Newark

Robert V. Stachnik, age 67, of Newark, DE, passed away on November 29, 2014.

Born March 30, 1947 in Yonkers, NY, he was the son of the late Victor and Catherine Stachnik. Bob grew up in Seaford, NY and graduated from Chaminade High School. He earned a degree in Astronomy from Villanova and a PhD in Astrophysics from State University of New York at Stony Brook. He worked at Itek Corporation as an Electro-Optical Scientist and later joined Harvard University as a research scientist.

Throughout his career as an astronomer, Bob did pioneering work on modern astronomical image processing. He collaborated with Antoine Labeyrie in the first applications of speckle interferometry to the problem of measuring the diameters of distant stars that were blurred by the Earth's atmosphere, referred to by the press as "de-twinkling the stars". He started this work as a graduate student and continued for more that a decade at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. He continued his love of astrophysics and space exploration at NASA headquarters as a senior scientist and Program Manager of NASA's Astrophysics Division, where he spent another decade managing astrophysics research programs funded by NASA at universities, institutes and observatories nationwide. After retiring from NASA he moved to Newark, DE and became the chief scientist at Testex Inc.

Bob maintained his friendships with astronomers and physicist around the world through scientific collaborations and travel. He was a member of AAS, ASTM, NACE, SSPC, ISO. He was known for his constant smile and generous nature. He was dedicated to a number of social and political causes, promoting justice for all.

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen; son , Alexander; brothers Joseph of Landenberg, PA and Richard (Barbara) of Mastic, NY; and sister, Marion (Dave Weston) of Newark, DE.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11:30 am on Friday morning, December 5, 2014, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 W. Park Place, Newark, DE. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to CARE, Attn: Gift Center, P.O. Box 7039, Merrifield VA 22116-9753, or Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030 or U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 125 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038.

To sign guest book, visit

spicermullikin.com

SPICER-MULLIKIN

FUNERAL HOMES

& CREMATORY

302-328-2213

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Times Reporter from Dec. 2 to Dec. 4, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Stachnik

16 Entries

Kevin J. Conway

May 1, 2023

I am posting this on May 1 2023. I was just doing a search to determine whatever happened to my friend Robert who was my pal at St William the Abbot school in Seaford. He was amazing and I loved to attend is rocket launches (think in what was the field behind the church. No surprise to read about his wonderful career. We shared an interest in astronomy..I was later a member of the Royal Astronomical Society and it was Robert who sparked this interest when we were children. RIP old friend and congratulations for meeting and exceeding you goals in life.

December 28, 2014

I was one of Bob's colleagues at NASA HQ. He was always kind and gentle to all and extraordinarily generous both with his time and ideas. It was a joy knowing and working with Bob, and my deepest and sincere condolences go out to his family and friends. For me, I will always remember the best of times with Bob, and I hope that over time, his family will feel that way as well.

Barry Geldzahler, NASA HQ

Louis Kaluzienski

December 8, 2014

As one of Bob's former NASA colleagues, I would like to express my sincere condolences to his family and friends on his passing. Bob was a distinguished astrophysicist and did much to advance the field during his time at NASA. Bob's kind and considerate personality made him well-liked by all; he will be deeply missed.

December 7, 2014

Bob was a generous supporter of the Progressive Democrats of Sussex County. I never met Bob, but I've kept his notes of encouragement and they will be a reminder that we can fight the good fight and be compassionate and civil.

Thank you, Bob.

Joanne Cabry
Rehoboth Beach

Chris Coons

December 5, 2014

Bob was a brilliant scientist, a passionate advocate for justice, and a warm and caring friend. I will greatly miss him and the gift of his thoughtful voice on so many issues.

lorie madron

December 4, 2014

My prayers are with you and your family as you go through this time of loss. May God comfort you.

Eileen Baldassarre

December 4, 2014

What a wonderful life Bob lived! I always looked up to Bob, my cousin, growing up. He was sweet and kind and funny and always had a smile and a story. He was so interested in people and things. I will never forget him. I will continue to strive to be like my oldest cousin who set such a good example of being a good person. A quick fun flashback: Bob would give the younger cousins "airplane rides", outdoors, where he held onto our hands and swung us around and around in a circle. There was always a long line of cousins and he never turned any of us away even though we got on the end of the line right after our turn. Bob seemed to enjoy this as much as the little ones....All through the years he was a pleasure to be with...I pray all the family and friends have wonderful memories to comfort them. His loss is a tremendous loss. And his life was a tremendous blessing. As my brother said, "Bob, forever in our hearts"....With Love and Sympathy, Cousin Eileen

Edward J. Pinna

December 4, 2014

My brother, Edward J. Pinna, asked me to post this: I have a myriad of very fond memories of my cousin, Bob, and all the Stachniks growing up. I am sorry for your loss. Bob, forever in our hearts. Fondly, Edward J. Pinna (posted by Eileen B.)

Penny Schirling

December 3, 2014

Matthew 5:4 - Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Dawn & Steve Sittinger-Bremer

December 2, 2014

Bob was a wonderful & kind man who was a great asset to our family. He will be greatly missed and forever remembered.

Karen & Jim Johnson

December 2, 2014

Bob was more than just an extended member of our family he was an integral part of our family and will be truly missed by us all.

December 2, 2014

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Steve & Linda Johnson

December 2, 2014

Hard to put into words how much Bob will be missed. God Bless this family

Steve Biener

December 2, 2014

Bob was a thoughtful and compassionate person who sought to bring the same level of compassion to everyone through political action. As a leader of Delaware for Dean and a founder of the Progressive Democrats for Delaware, Bob inspired many and will be missed by those who shared his goals.

Jeanne and John Sullivan

December 2, 2014

Our hearts go out to the Stachnik family as we mourn the loss of Bob. We are very sad to see this vibrant brother and father leave this world. Maybe, just maybe he is now seeing the stars up close. I know he will be in your hearts forever.

Janet and Greg Young

December 2, 2014

Bob was a very kind and involved neighbor. The Fox Lane residents will miss him dearly. He was a gentlemen and a friend to all of us.

Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results