Robert J. Kent

Robert J. Kent, 85, a resident of Danville, NH died on Sunday, September 21, 2025 at his home. He was the beloved husband of Ellen V. (Diggins) Kent with whom he shared twenty-nine years. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on December 19, 1939 and was the son of the late Benjamin and Angela (Matteo) Kent. Bob was raised and educated in Brooklyn, NY. After high school he enlisted and proudly served his country as a captain in the United States Air Force. Bob earned a master's degree in math and engineering from CW Post in Long Island, NY. Bob had a storied and honorable 30+ year career serving the United States Air Force as a commissioned officer. After concluding his active-duty military career, he continued his mission in national defense as a civil servant. He served in a variety of increasing program management and engineering leadership positions culminating in his role as the Chief Engineer at the Air Force's Electronic Systems Center, at Hanscom Air Force Base, MA, Lead Engineer for the NORAD Combat Operations Center at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station. He was instrumental in developing the National Civil Defense Warning System, Bob championed the creation of the Software Capability Maturity Model (SW-CMM). Bob also pioneered the concept of the Command and Control Product Line (CCPL) strategy, which maximized the reuse of common software and hardware components across multiple Command and Control (C2) systems. Extending his forward-thinking legacy, Bob conceived and established the first-ever Command and Control Network Innovation Laboratory-a state-of-the-art facility designed to prototype, test, and enhance secure military communication systems. These labs have since been replicated across the DoD and are critical to maintaining U.S. military superiority in today's network-centric warfare environment. After retiring from government service, Bob continued to influence national defense and innovation serving as a senior consultant and advisor to the President of the MITRE Corporation, and later as a Senior Fellow to the Provost at Carnegie Mellon University. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to found two companies, the most notable of which-SOSSEC, Inc.-was considered his crown jewel. Bob was the founder and Chairman of the Board for SOSSEC, Inc. which manages consortium-based Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) by providing the expertise and infrastructure required to effectively and efficiently manage the OTA project life cycle. In private life, Bob remained dedicated to public service. During its formative years, he served as Chairman of the Danville, NH Board of Selectmen, where his leadership and tireless work helped shape Danville into one of New Hampshire's most desirable small-town communities. Bob enjoyed hunting, collecting firearms, and spending time with his family. Bob lived a healthy lifestyle. He faithfully went to the gym five days a week. He was a member of the Newton, NH Fish & Games club. He is survived by his daughters Francine Chandler of Danville, NH, Debra Paine and her husband Joseph of Derry, NH, Maureen Levesque of Kingston, NH, and Patricia Richards and her husband Jim of Jay, ME, and, his grandchildren Joshua Paine, Justin Paine, Nicole Levesque, Mike Levesque, Bradley Richards, Brian Richards, and Rebekah Chandler. Bob also has two great-grandchildren, Lucas Paine and Carter Richards. Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Friday, October 3, 2025 from 4pm – 7pm at the Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home 116 Main St. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 11am in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Danville Center Cemetery, Danville, NH. Memorial Donation