Robert W. Brandstetter, 83, of Southold, NY passed on October 3 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in the Bronx, NY, Robert was a Korean War era US Army veteran. He held degrees in Electrical Engineering and Physics from the RCA Institute and Hofstra University. A 30 year employee of Grumman Aerospace as a Senior Research Scientist, he was awarded multiple US patents and was the author of numerous technical papers in the area of optical signal processing. Named Grumman’s Inventor of the Year in 1989 and again in 1991, Robert contributed to the successful first flight of the A-6A Intruder, F-14A Tomcat and the Lunar Landing Module.
In retirement, Bob returned to his passion for music. He sang with the St. Peter’s Church Choir and local group Jazz Alive. He would also play his keyboard and harmonica with friends at many functions. Bob could also be seen dressed as Santa during the holidays, all you had to do was ask.
Survived by his wife of 58 years Lois; daughter Lisa Kunze and husband Charles; son John and wife Pamela; son Matthew and wife Laura; grandchildren Bryan, Christine, Alexa, Kayleigh and Ashlynn. His love of life and family will be dearly missed.
The family will be receiving visitors at DeFriest-Grattan in Southold on Wednesday, October 8 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 9 at St Peter’s Lutheran Church, Greenport, NY. Interment will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers you make a donation to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research or your favorite local charity in his name.
