Obituary: Robert Henry Kern; Specialized in Timing and Vacuum Devices For Space-Related Products, Kernco Instrumentation Flew on Every Space Shuttle Flight From 1995 Until the End of the Space Shuttle Program

Obituary from Peterson-O’Donnell Funeral Home.

Robert Henry Kern, 85, of Danvers, beloved husband of Evelyn (Eshleman) Kern, died Thursday, June 4, 2015, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.

Born in New York City, he was the son of the late Carl Henry and Helen L. (Victor)Kern. He was raised and educated in New York City and was a graduate of Cornell University. He earned both his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Cornell University in Engineering, class of 1956.

An honorably discharged veteran, he served his country as a member of the United States Air Force.

Bob enjoyed a long and distinguished professional career. He was associated with many of the leading engineering companies, including Varian Associates, Hewlett Packard and EG&G. He was also the founder and proprietor of Frequency and Time Systems Inc. and Kernco Inc., both of Danvers, specializing in timing and vacuum devices for space-related products. Bob held eight patents relating to atomic clocks, technology that made GPS feasible. Kernco instrumentation flew on every space shuttle flight from 1995 until the end of the space shuttle program..

A resident of the Town of Danvers since 1960, Bob was a member of the Association of Old Crows, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and was a member of the Maple Street Congregational Church of Danvers. In his free time he enjoyed boating, swimming, tennis, and fishing in the summer on Highland Lake in Maine with his family and friends. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed skiing. He will be deeply missed.

Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Janet Marie (Upson) Kern. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Evelyn Kern of Danvers; his son, Andrew Carleton Kern and his wife Brenda of Delaware, Ohio; his daughter, Joanne Kern McDermott of Irvine, California; and his grandson, Adam Henry McDermott.

ARRANGEMENTS: A celebration of Robert’s Life will be announced and held at a later date. Assisting the family with the arrangements is the Peterson-O’Donnell Funeral Home 167 Maple St., (rte 62) Danvers. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Bob’s memory to support Portuguese Water Dog rescue efforts at PWDCA Rescue, Inc., 314 Tunnel Ave., Point Richmond, CA, 94801. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com