Lt. Col Robert E. Vermette, 82

Posted 2/12/20

Lt. Col Robert E. Vermette (ret.), 82, died Dec. 27, 2019, after a long battle with melonoma and pancreatic cancer. Bob is survived by his wife, Alice, of 60 years, five adult children, 11 …

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Lt. Col Robert E. Vermette, 82

Posted

Lt. Col Robert E. Vermette (ret.), 82, died Dec. 27, 2019, after a long battle with melonoma and pancreatic cancer. Bob is survived by his wife, Alice, of 60 years, five adult children, 11 grandchildren and 6 great-granddaughters. He also leaves his sister, Edna Green (John) of Bristol.

Bob graduated from LaSalle Academy and earned a bachelor of science degree in Electrical Engineering from URI, followed by a Master of Management Engineering degree from George Washington University. He began his military career in the Army Ordinance Corps, was mentored by Werner Von Braun’s team of scientists and joined the work to pioneer the U.S. space program.

Her served 22 years active duty and retired having earned several medals, including the Meritorious Service Medal and Legion of Merit. He was also a veteran of the Vietnam War. Throughout his service, Bob led technical initiatives that laid the foundations for core technology systems that would transform both military and civilian worlds. His work on rocketry contributed to the Saturn systems that brought humans to the moon. He led key initiatives yielding the submarine-launched ballistic missile and cruise missile systems.

Following his service, Bob went on to work in the private sector. Following retirement, he and Alice returned home to Rhode Island for several years before relocating to Cary, N.C. to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

A service was held at his parish church in Cary, N.C., on Jan. 3. His burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery on March 31, 2020.

For complete obituary, go to www.wakefuneral.com

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