Robert (Bob) John Herzberg "Buzz"

Died at his home in Brookfield, WI on December 31, 2014. Age 83. Bob was born in 1931 to Walter and Ida Herzberg and was raised in Milwaukee, WI. His siblings include Marion Ciechanowski, Lila Delosso and his beloved brother Charles Herzberg (deceased). In 1959, he married Sally Jean Hiegel of Wauwatosa, WI. Together they raised three sons in Saratoga, CA. In 2005 he married Carmen Jannetto Downes and lived out his last years in Brookfield, WI with Carmen. Carmen and Bob met at North Division High School in Milwaukee, WI and served together on the cheerleading squad and school board. Bob graduated first in his class in 1949. Bob received a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University; a Master of Science degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an undefended PhD from Stanford University. He led a distinguished career at Lockheed Missile and Space in Silicon Valley California retiring as their Chief Scientist. One of his first projects at Lockheed was to construct a scaled down model of the Hubble Telescope which currently resides with the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. He was assigned to investigate the Hubble Telescope mir...[more]

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problem and the Challenger disaster among other major projects. He held the highest security clearance possible. In his earlier years, Bob had a passion for fishing/camping in Minnesota with his sons, setting up Lionel train sets, painting lead soldiers, constructing balsa wood model airplanes, gardening and travel. He enjoyed listening to classical music and reading poetry. He was a friend to all kittens and cats, loving and taking care of many animals during the course of his live. During his last decade, Bob thoroughly enjoyed many gatherings with high school friends as well as the company of family. Bob is survived by: his spouse Carmen Downes Herzberg of Brookfield, WI and his former wife, Sally Jean Hiegel of Saratoga, CA; his children include: John Charles Herzberg (Suzanne Herzberg) of Vienna, VA; Scott Herzberg of Saratoga, CA and Robert Herzberg (Marilyn Wong) of Milpitas, CA, and his step-children; Dennis Downes (Vicki Downes) of Oconomowoc, WI; Brian Downes (Hollie Downes) of Oconomowoc, WI. Al Downes (Kim Hanson) of Oconomowoc, WI and Curt Downes (Carrie Downes) of Brookfield; his grandchildren include: Chelsey Cavin, Isabella Herzberg, Laura Herzberg, Steven Herzberg, Alison Downes (Sam Manegold), Molly Higgins (Tommy Higgins), Emily Downes (Mark Hanson), Sarah Downes, Zach Mueller and Rachel Mueller; and his sisters: Marion Chienowski and Lila Delosso. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Bob's name to your favorite animal charity.