Robert Morton Gitlin, loving husband, father and grandfather, 73, of Muttontown, New York, died of natural causes at his son's home in Salt Lake City on Sunday, December 17, 1995.
Tragically, he was there to attend funeral services, later that day, of the sudden and unexpected death of his six-year-old grandchild, Alexandra Skye Gitlin.Robert was born in the Bronx, New York, to Celia and Jack Gitlin.
Robert is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Ruth, and their three children, Andrew Gitlin, of Salt Lake City; Judi Rizley of Wellesley, Mass.; and Ami Hentoff of Natick, Mass., and six grandchildren: Dylan Gitlin, Todd Rizley, Dasha Hentoff, Jillian Rizley, Jacob Hentoff and Aaron Hentoff.
Robert graduated with honors from City College in New York in mechanical engineering in 1944. He was a member of the SKT engineering fraternity and the Remsen House plan. He received a master's degree in 1948 from New York University in management. He served in the United States Air Force Reserve as an engineer, working for NASA at Langley Air Force Base. After working for some of the most prestigious engineering firms in the New York area. Robert founded and became president of American Aerospace Controls of Farmingdale, in 1961. American Aerospace Controls is one of the leaders in the United States in designing and manufacturing space related instrumentation, including instruments on the space shuttles, and the Hubble telescope. In 1988 American Aerospace Controls won the prestigious business subcontractor of the year award.
Robert was a unique individual, accepting of others, and always putting the needs of his wife and family first. He worked tirelessly at solving problems large and small for every member of his family. Robert was an avid tennis player, golf enthusiast, and sports fan. He was an extraordinary photographer, a reader of astronomy and history, a collector of clocks, watches, and instruments, as well as an eager horticulturist.
Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 21, 1995 at Temple Judea in Manhasset, Searingtown Road. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alexandra Skye Gitlin scholarship fund, Jewish Community Center, 2416 E. 1700 So., Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108.
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