WAYLAND: Robert A. Wallace passed away recently after a long life. He is survived by his second wife Bertie and is predeceased by his first wife of 57 years, Mary Katherine. Also predeceasing Bob is their daughter Adrienne, and brothers Wally and his wife Ethel and Richard and his wife Gladys. He is survived by his and Mary Katherine’s daughters Janelle, Kyle, Laurie and Sheri. Surviving grandchildren are Adam, Amberley, Gabe, Alec and Ethan.
Bob was born in Queens NY and later moved to East Northport, where he graduated from High School. He joined the Navy and served during WWII working on the development of airborne early warning radar systems until 1946. A few years later, Bob received his Electrical Engineering degree from Purdue University. Following college, Bob worked at Bell Labs on Long Island where he met Dr. Thomas Polanyi. Together, they went on to work at Laser Incorporated in Briarcliff Manor, NY, followed by American Optical Corporation in Framingham, MA. Ultimately Thomas and Bob founded Merrimack Laboratories in Hudson, MA.
Bob will be remembered as being a very precise individual, but with a fun loving side as well. He loved gatherings with friends and family, where would provide a sparkle. He enjoyed winter sports with his children and even built them an igloo one time! Summers were spent on the beach or hiking in the woods. He enhanced the lives of many people through the development of medical lasers for use in otolaryngology. Upon his retirement, the employees of Merrimack Labs honored Bob with its highest honors and inscribed upon a marvelous wooden plaque was the following:
“For developing a technology, creating an industry and founding a company that has become a leader in the field of lasers for surgery.”
Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 1:00 pm in the Wallace family lot in Lakeview Cemetery, Commonwealth Road (Rte. 30), Wayland.
In lieu of flowers, Bob’s family suggests memorial gifts in his memory may be sent to The Alzheimer’s Assoc. of MA/NH, 480 Pleasant St, Watertown, MA 02762.