On January 13, 2019 Robert S. Stefan, 92, beloved husband of Lynne Stefan, passed away peacefully. He was the cherished father of Robin Stefan, Susan Taylor and Bradley Stefan. Loving grandfather of Niki Heinlein, Amy Taylor and Ben Taylor.
Memorial Service and visitation to be held for family and friends on Saturday, January 19th, from 2 to 4 P.M. at The Johnson-Fosbrink Funeral Home, P.A. 8521 Loch Raven Blvd., beltway exit 29-B. Private inurnment at later date. In lieu of flowers donations to the American Heart Association would be appreciated.
Robert was born in 1926 to loving parents, Naomi and Stefan Shologon at Misericordia Hospital in downtown Manhattan. He inherited an entrepreneurial sense of adventure and curiosity from his father, who emigrated from the Ukraine in pursuit of the American Dream, and a love of the arts from his mother, which led to his start as percussionist in the school band in
Kindergarten. His assignment to the cymbals brought many pinched fingers and a lot of anxiety, which maybe why he began teaching himself piano at age 5 and later studied keyboard harmony at Juilliard School of Music. His early years in school were hindered by unrecognized ADHD, which prompted many trips to the principle's office. But his high IQ prevailed and in high school he was chosen by the military for specialized training at Virginia Military Institute. He continued with Electrical Engineering studies at Penn State, a B.S. in Physics from Colombia University, and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from NYU Polytechnic Institute. In the Army ( World War II ) he repaired cryptographic and radio electronic equipment for what is now the NSA. He had also worked in research and design as a Junior Physicist for the Navy, as well as an Electrical Design Engineer for Hazeltine Electronics Corp., and spent 45 years as an Electrical Engineer and Data Manager for the Bendix Corporation, including Division Manager of the Bendix Ground Support for the Mercury Man-In-Space Program, and Assistant Head of Bendix Research and Development Department, where he reveled in his work with the space program. He has received multiple awards for his many accomplishments. Robert volunteered for leadership roles in every part of his life, starting with President of his high school Science and Astronomy Clubs, treasurer of the Colombia Ballet Workshop, and later becoming President of multiple community associations, President of Friends of the Towson Library, and Treasurer of the Iron Pyrite Investment Club. He was President of the Varsity Singles Club of Baltimore, where he met his wife Lynne. Since retiring from Bendix in 1991, he has continued to write over 250 monthly news letter to 150 retired engineers and associates, and ran a monthly luncheon for retired Bendix engineers. Robert's creative pursuits include learning to play the organ, the marimba, the recorder, a brave effort on the violin, African dance, years of International Folk Dancing, and performing with the Baltimore Actors Theater. His creative expression bloomed into composing music and writing poetry, and he later began writing several books on nutritional medicine that he never finished. His passions and pursuits were endless, and included nutritional healing, space exploration, extraterrestrials, powers of the mind, telepathy, philosophy, investing, food, and of course his family.