Robert L. Siegmann

Robert L.Siegmann, passed away Feb.16 2010 at the Ben Atcheley State Veterans Home in Knoxville, Tennessee after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was a member of Church Street United Methodist Church. Robert was born in New York City on May 27, 1926 to the late August and Minnie Siegmann. The family moved to Harrison, N.Y. in Westchester county to take advantage of the excellent school system as education was a priority for the family. Bob's first job included caddying at the Westchester country club and as a bicycle messenger in the financial district of New York City. In 1943, the day after his high school graduation, he enlisted in the Navy even though he was only seventeen years old. His brother, Edward, had been seriously injured in Europe and Bob wanted to replace his brother in the war effort. He served three years with the Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician. After the war he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brown University and graduated in 1949 with a degree in chemistry. He was forever grateful for his education that the newly created G.l. Bill provided. He was a proud Brown University alumnus. In 1949 Bob was hired on at Airco Research Labs in Murray Hill N.J. There he developed two new processes which lead to the formation of a new chemical division. In 1951, Bob met Noreen Doyle, the love of his life, on a blind date. They married at the end of the year in Dunellen, New Jersey. In 1959 he transferred to Paducah, Kentucky to manage Airco's new million dollar chemical laboratory. He loved his job and more importantly the people he worked with calling it his "Camelot." In the early 1960's, he hired the first female chemist and the first african american chemical technician at the plant. In 2001 the retired lab workers had a surprise reunion honoring Bob as a great boss, mentor and friend. He cherished that gesture of gratitude. Throughout his career he worked in Chemical labs in Cincinnati, Ohio; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a member of various professional organizations and President of the American Chemical Society, KY Chapter. In 1993 he retired with his wife, Noreen, to Knoxville to be closer to his family. Bob was a gifted artist ,lover of music and had an extensive record collection. Bob and Noreen were exceptionally good dancers and were nicknamed "Ginger and Fred." He will always be remembered for his brilliant intellect and his sound ethics but also for a huge sense of humor that made him light up every room. His litany of jokes was unending. Bob will also be known as a mentor inspiring many individuals to reach within to become a person of worth in this journey on earth. We miss him already. He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Minnie Siegmann; brother, Edward Siegmann; devoted wife of 49 years, Noreen Doyle Siegmann. He is survived by his devoted daughters, Cheryl Siegmann of Lima, Ohio, Elaine (Dr.Douglas) Batchelor of Knoxville; beloved sisters; Helen Vaala of Wilmington, Delaware; Eleanore Wolf of Rye Brook, New York; grandchildren; Jennifer (Jamie) Henry; Elias Staup; Moriah Staup all of Lima, Ohio. Terra Staup (fiance-PVT. Billy Swanson stationed in Afghanistan); and step-granddaughter, Shellie Taylor of all of Columbus Ohio; Justina Batchelor of New York City, New York; Brooke Batchelor and Tessa Batchelor of Knoxville; great – grandchildren, David and Raigan Staup of Lima, Ohio. Many cherished nieces and nephews and also longtime family friend Marjorie Gasaway of South Hampton, New Jersey. Bob leaves you with this last chuckle-“I wake up every morning, grab the morning paper. Then I look at the obituary page, if my name is not on it I get up”- Ben Franklin The family would like to thank the staff of Arbor Terrace Assisted Living for their care and companionship while he was there. We would also like to thank the staff of the Ben Atchely State Veterans Home-from the nurses to housekeepers to dining hall workers-for loving and laughing with him in his final years. In lieu of flowers please make memorials to Church Street United Methodist Church Music or Mission Fund, P.O. Box 1303 Knoxville, Tn. 37922

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Robert L. Siegmann

May 27, 1926 - February 16, 2010