Obituary of Robert Edward Hathaway

Robert Edward Hathaway, 86, died at The Chelsea Assisted Living home in Sparta, New Jersey on August 26, 2023.  He was born on February 14, 1937 to Gladys Sadler and Joseph Carson Hathaway.  He grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia with his four brothers and more than a dozen aunts and uncles.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1954 as a member of the honor society, history club, science club, and latin club.  Before joining the U.S. Coast Guard in 1962 he worked at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and studied part-time at William & Mary’s Norfolk campus. Robert completed his studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, graduating in 1965 with a Bachelors of Science degree in electrical engineering. 

After his service to the Coast Guard, he worked for the U.S. Navy as a civilian and brought his scientific knowledge to support the development of key force protection programs.  He brought his passion to Reynolds Metals, Allied Chemical, Litton Industries, Airtron Industries, Aeroflex Inc., and KDI Triangle Corp.  He has a number of patents and inventor awards. He was recognized as a pioneer in Gallium Arsenide semiconductors that transformed the micro-electronics industries in the 1970s and he developed the formula and process for MetGlas® - enabling the production of an amorphous metal — a unique alloy that exhibits a structure in which the metal atoms occur in a random pattern. He was also a pioneer in the development of microwave technologies that were later fielded on the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Cruiser and in the home microwave oven.  He participated in the development of other key technologies that revolutionized the U.S. military’s capabilities.   He retired in 2008, having traveled the world and making significant contributions to the nation’s defense.

On August 4, 1962, Robert married Virginnia Ann Stewart.  They met while he was stationed at New Jersey’s Cape May Coast Guard facility.   During their marriage, they lived in Virginia, North Carolina, Wyoming, and finally settled in Parsippany, New Jersey where they resided for over 50 years.

Robert loved the out-doors and could be found in his younger years deep sea fishing and hunting for mink, pheasant, and quail.  He taught his children how to fish and took his boys on an annual fishing trip for the opening season for northern pike in Canada.  He spent countless hours at his children’s swim practices, soccer games, and wrestling matches.  He loved to play chess and other strategy games - imparting this knowledge on to multiple generations.  He traveled in Asia and Europe regularly and developed an appreciation for European cheeses and tastes for wines and whiskies.   He brought his respect for minerals and gemstones to his hobbies too.  He could be found hunting for fossils in Wyoming and elsewhere, and searching for treasures — gemstones and rare rocks — on any vacation. 

He is survived by his three children and their respective spouses, Robert Jr. and Kerri, Melissa, and Nicholas and Nanette as well as his eight grandchildren:  Alexander, Justin, Grace, Nicholas, Anna, Robert, Maxwell, and Clayton.   He is also survived by his brothers Joseph, John, and Thomas.

Memorial Visitation will be on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 3:00-3:30pm, followed by a Memorial Service with Military Honors at 3:30pm at Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, NJ.

If you care to make a donation in Robert’s memory, please do so to the American Cancer Society: https://donate3.cancer.org.

Tributes to Robert’s life and condolences may be left for the family by visiting https://danglerfuneralhomes.com.