Robert Kendall Bradway

Robert Kendall Bradway, 85 of Hudson, MA passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2020. Beloved husband to the late Phyllis Eugenia (Garron) Bradway, He leaves behind a loving family. Robert is survived by his four children, Russell K. Bradway and his wife Kelly of Shrewsbury, Robert E. Bradway and his wife Diana of Stow, Diane A. Bradway and her husband Paul J. Bryant of Hudson and James F. Bradway of Hudson; two siblings Joan E, (Bradway) Shuffleburg and her husband David Shuffleburg of Springfield, Vermont and the late Gerald H. Bradway. Six grandchildren, Vanessa, Sarah, Amanda, Tyler, Jacob and Jack Seamus, along with six great grandchildren, Seth, Bradyn, Charles, Hector, Rafael and Israel. Extended love for Tim, Jason, Cindy, Betsy, Emely, Joe, Debbie, Lynn, Forrest, Ellen, Tommy, Susan and AnnMarie.

Robert was born on December 5, 1934, in Windsor, Vermont, the son of Forrest Kendall Bradway and Agnes Constance (Garneau) Bradway. He was raised in Windsor and Springfield, Vermont, he was a 1952 graduate from Springfield High School. Following high school he worked at Bryant Grinder as a Machinist and Bryant Computer Products division where he fabricated and tested magnetic storage drums.

Robert served his country in the US Army as well as the National Guard until 1957. He matriculated at Vermont Technical College, where he earned his Associates Degree in Electrical Technology. He was employed at Itek Optical Systems(1961-1995) where he contributed to the Corona spy satellite(America’s 1st space satellite) and its use of a rotating mirror to record panoramic swaths of the ground. Robert was invited along with fellow colleagues to participate in setting up and celebrating the Corona exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum Smithsonian. He also contributed on the KA80 Optical Bar Camera, the panoramic cameras Project Apollo for mapping the lunar surface, Project Viking Mars lander and portions of the Keck Telescope. He was also on the Itek team that built the articulating fold mirrors for the Wide Field Planetary Camera II, key to restoring Hubble Telescope performance. Robert finished his career at Xinectics, Inc.(1995-2010). He contributed to the development of adaptive optical systems for deformative mirrors and precision telescopes for both ground and space.

Robert was a devoted husband and dedicated father and grandfather. He could fix anything. He could build anything, especially wooden toys. He loved coaching ice hockey and leading pick-up baseball games at any nearby sandlot for us all. Ice fishing and fishing with his grandchildren was always a great day for him. He was an avid reader and always pushed himself to learn more and be more.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Robert’s Memory to the Hudson Public Library, (978)568-9644, 3 Washington Street, Hudson, MA 01749.