Robert Frederick Osborne (Bob), 94, of Newville, Pennsylvania, formerly of Webster NY, London, England, and Sarasota, Fl. Bob was hired as an engineer at the Haloid Company in Rochester N.Y. When Haloid became the Xerox Corporation, he continued as design engineer at Xerox in Webster for more than 32 years. Bob was instrumental in designing and creating many of the components of the first xerographic copiers. Throughout his long career, he led various teams of engineers both in the United States and England to develop new technologies in the xerographic field. Bob also holds several patents in the xerographic industry.

    An NROTC cadet at the University of Rochester, Bob served in the Navy for three years, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade.

    Bob used his brilliant engineering mind to problem-solve, fix, and build almost anything. He taught himself computer programming when personal computers were a relatively a new technology, writing programs for his church, his wife Cotsie’s extensive recipe library, and many others. He designed and built upgrades for the family cottage in Canada, designed additions for his children’s homes, and built the first family color TV and stereo from a kit. He built his own survey transit to survey property lines in order to build a boat house, as well as a drawbridge boat dock to prevent damage from the winter ice, and many other projects

    Wherever they lived, Bob loved to sing in church choirs and joined the Oratorio Society in Harpenden, England. Bob enjoyed fishing and sailing at the family cottage they built in Canada. But mostly he liked to teach his children and grandchildren: whether it was woodworking, explaining how a motor works, or patiently helping someone through difficult math or physics problems. 

    Family was very important to Bob; especially his wife, friend and partner of 72 years, Mary Catherine (Cotsie). They shared many adventures together, raising 4 children, travelling, living abroad, and enjoying each other’s company. He is survived by his wife, Mary Catherine Smyth Osborne, children Peter Steven Osborne (Maria N. Osborne), Frederick Henry Osborne (Aggy Bari Osborne), Margaret O. Ramstad (Ronald Ramstad), and Carol O. Strauch (Daniel Strauch). Bob was beloved grandpa to 8 grandchildren: Erik, Maria, Monica, Robert, Michael, Katharine, Matthew, and Margaret. 

    A Celebration of Life will be held in April at Green Ridge Senior Living in Newville, Pennsylvania. Details to follow at a later date.

    In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of your choice.