Robert L. Carnahan 1926-2016
Robert L. Carnahan passed away peacefully on April 29, 2016, at age 89.
Born in Holton, Kansas, on July 19, 1926, he was the son of Lewis H. and Marguerite (nee Calcut) Carnahan. He graduated from UCLA and obtained his Master’s Degree from Johns Hopkins University.
He was employed as an engineer with the DuPont Company. In 1955, he obtained a position with the Travelers Research Center in Hartford, Conn., where he became Vice President of the research center. In 1970 he moved to the Washington, D.C. area to work with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. He served as Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research from 1986 to 1991. He was a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society, Commissioner of Professional Affairs and a Certified Consulting Meteorologist.
On retiring to Lewes, Del., in 1991, he initiated the docent program at the University of Delaware’s College of Marine Studies, which he led for 12 years. His other volunteer activities included work with Children and Families First, mentoring students at Shields Elementary School and serving as a docent for the Lewes Historical Society.
He was predeceased by his sister, Evelyn Francis, and his brother, Clarence Edward. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty (nee Hickman), and survived by his son Michael and wife Judy, daughter Elizabeth and husband James, and son David and wife Virginia; three granddaughters, Jennifer Carnahan, Katie O’Sullivan and Megan O’Sullivan; one grandson, Jack Carnahan; and one great-granddaughter, Kyleigh Carnahan-Milhoan.
He enjoyed sailing the waters around Connecticut and Maryland. In later years at the beach, he loved tending his beautiful garden. He was a patient, loving, cheerful and always optimistic man who enjoyed music, intellectual discussions and social gatherings. He will be dearly missed by his family, his church family, friends and neighbors.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 301 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, where friends may visit beginning at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church to the address above. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Please visit Mr. Carnahan’s Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
