Robert A. Rivers

Robert A. Rivers

ORANGE- Robert Alfred Rivers, of Orange and formerly of Winthrop, Massachusetts died on May 8, 2017 at the age of 93. He was born on September 4, 1923 in Phillipston, Massachusetts to Marie and Frank Rivers who preceded him in death. He was the third of five children, three having preceded him in death, Frank Rivers, Doris Rivers Simpson and Jean Rivers Richie Joynes. He is survived by his older sister, Rena Rivers Anderson Tippett.
He married Priscilla Bradford on October 6, 1944. She proceeded him in death in 2010 after 66 years of marriage. They had three children, three grandchildren, four great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren, all of whom have survived the deceased. The children are Lucy Rivers Whitmarsh (James Kane), Robert B. Rivers (Cyndi Collins) and Rosalind Rivers (Richard Krause). The grand children are David Whitmarsh (Leigh Whittington), William Krause (Andrea Krause) and Allison Krause Steinbaum (Josh Steinbaum). The great grandchildren are Kailey Whitmarsh Egner (Mat Egner), Robert Krause and Heather Krause. The great great grandchildren are Austin Egner and Hailey Egner.
Robert Rivers graduated from Orange High School in 1941. He was employed as a Radio Operator for Pan American Airlines and saw the world. He was based in New York City, Miami, Florida and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1950 he resigned from the airline and enrolled at Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1953. He worked as a design engineer for General Electronics Laboratories for a year after graduation prior to founding his own company, Aircom, Inc., specializing in the manufacture of microwave components. He personally designed over 1,300 microwave components. He was an active member with the Electrical Engineering Professional Association, IEEE, and received many awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in the microwave engineering field.
There are no calling hours.
A Graveside Service for friends and family will be at the South Cemetery, 585 South Main Street, Orange, Massachusetts at 1:00 on Saturday, May 20.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Friends of The Orange Public Library, 49 E. Main St., Orange, MA, 01364
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is directing the arrangements.
You may offer your sympathy online at www.wittyfuneralhome.com