Robert A. “Bob” Pustell, Aged 86
Bob was born into a Lithuanian immigrant family in New Britain, CT on Dec 24. 1922. After growing up in New Britain Bob attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to study Mechanical Engineering.
Halfway through his time at RPI Bob joined the Army to serve in WWII. Shortly before he “shipped out” he married his college sweetheart, Margaret A. Carman. While overseas, Bob was wounded in Germany. He earned the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Bronze Star. After a period of time in the post war Army of Occupation, Bob finally came home from Germany to take a deferred honeymoon with his Bride. After completing his studies, Bob and Marg began their family and his career.
After five years of frequent moves and a couple of different engineering jobs, Bob found his professional niche as an engineer in the pioneering stages of jet engine development with General Electric. Bob stayed with GE for many decades, always in jet engine development and design. He earned several patents and many awards for his work. If you have flown in airliners or military jets, you have most likely trusted your life to his designs.
They settled in Melrose, Massachusetts and raised a family of five children. After the children were grown, Bob and Marg resettled in Andover, Massachusetts.
In both Melrose and Andover, the Pustells were active in local affairs. They held positions in local government and in various Civic Organizations. His niche in this part of his life was the Andover Conservation Commission. He served on that body for several decades, much of that time as Chairman.
Early on the seventh of October, after a long battle with Parkinson’s and cancer, Bob died at his home with his family at his side.
Bob is survived by his wife of 64 years, Margaret A. Pustell and their five children (Robert J Pustell, James M Ostell, Marie Montgomery, John C Pustell, and Stephen E Pustell), thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He will be missed.
A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, at 11:00 am. The service was in the West Parish Church, 129 Reservation Road, Andover, MA 01810. For directions please go to www.westparishchurch.org. A reception followed in the Church’s Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to “The Conservation Fund”, c/o The Andover Conservation Commission, 36 Bartlett Street, Andover, MA 01810. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, Andover. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.