Robert Saumsiegle
In Memory of
Robert W.
Saumsiegle
2018
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Obituary for Robert W. Saumsiegle

Robert W.  Saumsiegle
Robert W. Saumsiegle, 95, a long-time resident of Wellesley and Needham, MA, passed away at The Westerly (RI) Hospital on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. He was the husband of the late Nancy (Walsh) Saumsiegle and the late Genieve (Joslyn) Saumsiegle. He was born in Waltham, MA, the son of the late Henry G. and Alice L. Saumsiegle. He was pre-deceased by his sister, Alice Saumsiegle French.

After graduating from Waltham High School in 1939, Robert attended Northeastern University until 1943 when he joined the US Army Air Corp during World War II. As a member of the 303rd Bombardier Group of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, he flew 13 missions as a navigator on a B-17 flying fortress until being shot down over Germany in May 1944. He was captured and served as a Prisoner of War until being liberated at the end of the war.

After the war, he returned to Northeastern and graduated in 1946 in Mechanical Engineering. He built a career in the plastics industry developing manufacturing processes and machinery for plastic packaging and containers. He held at least nine patents.

During high school, he starred on the hockey teams, including the 1937 Bay State League champions. He played on the hockey teams while at Northeastern and continued to play recreational hockey well into his 70s.

An avid golfer, he was a member of Lexington Golf Club and Wellesley Country Club.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed summers at his cherished family summer house in Maine.

Robert leaves his three children, Stephen (Diana) Saumsiegle of Washington, NJ, William (Nancy) Saumsiegle of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, and Patricia “Tish” (John) Rabe of Mystic, CT; as well as six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

A memorial celebration will be held at a future date. Donations can be made to: Hope Hospice and Palliative Care, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904 or online at www.HopeHospiceRI.org

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