Robert Eugene Spearing
We regret to announce the passing of Robert Eugene on Tuesday, 14 June 2022 in Alexandria Virginia, USA.
Robert was predeceased by his daughter Melissa, who he supported in her equestrian interests, as groom and coach, and sister Elaine. Survived by his wife Betty, his mother, Sylvia, brother Alfred [Brenda], and sister Claudia in the UK, and Pamela in the USA.
Robert’s career started somewhat indirectly at age 20 he was in Bermuda for the summer break. He would work at Coopers Island tracking station during the holiday months and got introduced to the Space programme during that time.
Robert worked from NASA. He attended Mount St. Agnes Academy and Warwick Academy in Bermuda. Before continuing his education at Claskson College of Technology in the United States.
Robert started off with NASA as a Junior Engineer in Space Communications in 1962. He climbed the ranks to become Deputy Associated Administrator of Space Communications form 1998 until his retirement in 2007. Robert also played a small part in helping American Astronaut, Neil Armstrong take his historic first walk on the Moon in July 1969. The systems that was being used to get the information back and forth from space was one he had been heavily involved with.
Robert enjoyed skating in Rockefeller Centre, and also enjoyed running an ran in a Bermuda Marathon.
