Robert G. Jackson

Robert Gene Jackson, age 75, of Middletown died peacefully at his home on Friday, January 25, 2013.Born on May 13, 1937 in New Castle, IN, he was the son of the late Loren H. and Mary Roberta (Goode) Jackson. He was the husband of Kathleen (Oliveira) Jackson, and the late, Anita Lee (Walden) Jackson and the late Diana (Polcari) Jackson.Besides his wife of 12 years he is survived by three sons: Steven R. Jackson of Newport, RI, David L. Jackson of Warwick, RI, Michael R. Jackson and his wife Margaret of Woonsocket, RI; two sisters: Judith (Cookie) Cieslak of Scott, MI, and Mary Margaret Jackson of Argos, IN; and four grandchildren, Zachary, Jennifer, Mykayla and Madison Jackson all of Woonsocket, RI.Mr. Jackson received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Technical Institute in 1959. He served six months in the U.S. Army working with the Army Corps of Engineers. He then began his formal career with the Power Equipment Company in Galleon, OH making power supplies for IBM. Moving to NASA, he worked for five years on their ABOE program. While in Ohio, Mr. Jackson earned an M.S. in Mathematics from John Carroll University in Cleveland. His career then took him to Washington, D.C. where he was a Senior Engineer for TRACOR. He took post graduate classes in Math Communications at George Washington University. Bob completed his professional career here in RI as a systems engineer for Raytheon.Retirement provided Bob with an opportunity to become very active in volunteerism and to pursue areas of study that brought him much happiness. He served as the Regional Coordinator for the AARP Tax-Aide program for seven years and was also a Panel member for the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel run by the IRS. He was a member of the Salve Regina University's Circle of Scholar Program, and served on the Curriculum Committee. He successfully completed the Master Composter, Master Energy and Tree Steward programs offered by URI. He was a 2008 graduate of the Master Gardener program and became a life time member this past fall. Bob spent numerous hours with URI's poinsettia program, training others on proper composting techniques, and working with children on the Living Landscapes program. He oversaw the Chet Clayton Rose Garden for the past two summers.A member of the United Congregational Church in Middletown, Bob served on the Mission Board and most recently as a member of the Board of Deacons. He also served as a founding member and President for Stepping Out, a program designed to provide social opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.At the end of the day, though, nothing brought Bob more happiness than spending time with his family, watching his grandchildren grow, working in his garden, and reading and learning daily.Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, January 29, 2013, from 4:00-8:00pm, in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 11:00am, in the United Congregational Church, 524 Valley Road, Middletown, RI. Donations in his memory can be made to the URI Master Gardener's Association, 3 East Alumni Avenue, Kingston, RI 02881. or to the Middletown Fire and Rescue, 239 Wyatt Road, Middletown, RI 02842. Visitation JAN 29. 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Service JAN 30. 11:00 AM United Congregational Church 524 Valley Road Middletown, RI, US, 02842 ucc1695@aol.com http://www.uccmiddletown.com/