Robert Kildea's Obituary
Robert James Kildea passed away at the age of 91 on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa Florida.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Madeline Goonan Kildea and James Thomas Kildea; brother, James Thomas Kildea, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Josi Meadows Kildea; and his loving wife of 58 years, Norine Daley Kildea. He is survived by his four children – Karen Kildea Stecher (Jim) of Franklin, NJ; Brian R. Kildea of Tampa, FL; Maureen Kildea Busch (Bruce) of Odessa, FL; and Eileen Kildea Beazley (Brent) of Terry, MS. Robert leaves nine grandchildren: Abigail Stecher Walsh (Tommy), Robert Stecher, Richard Stecher, Patricia Stecher Painter (Donovan), Isabelle Stecher, Madeline Busch, Carson Busch, Jack Beazley and Sadie Beazley; and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Robert was born in New York, NY on November 23, 1934. He graduated from Chaminade High School, Mineola, NY in 1952. Robert graduated from Manhattan College, New York, NY in 1956 with a bachelors degree in civil engineering. In 1969 he earned his masters degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York in Mechanical Engineering.
Robert was a registered Professional Engineer. He worked for over 40 years for United Technologies Corporation in East Hartford, CT and West Palm Beach, FL. Much of his professional career was spent as an aerospace design engineer at Pratt & Whitney of United Technologies where he is credited with over 20 company patents. All of Roberts children knew from a young age that Dad helped planes fly but slowly learned as they grew of their fathers significant contributions to jet engine technology.
Roberts profession was a true match for his personality. Robert could be best described as curious, thoughtful, resourceful, practical, and meticulously thorough from a young age. Robert was known for his ability to fix anything within the house. The few times a repairman was needed the repairman often left with a new technique from the house call.
Robert was a devout catholic that loved his wife and family above everything. He bestowed much wisdom on his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews whenever an opportunity presented itself for a life lesson. Robert viewed it his role to prepare them for the world rather than to prepare the world for them.
With his wife, Robert spent much of his retirement supporting the establishment, funding, operations and ministries of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Robert valued practicality and effectiveness. His children are therefore confident that in lieu of flowers, he would ask that donations be made to a ministry of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Palm Beach Gardens, FL that would help support its mission.
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