Robert Joseph Tynan

Longtime Resident Was Recognized Engineer And Active In Community

Robert Joseph Tynan, 78, died August 2 at Bethel Health Care. The husband of Joan White Tynan, he had lived in Newtown for 41 years.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Robert Tynan and his wife, Beth, of Atlanta, Ga., and Sean Tynan of Las Vegas; two daughters, Cecily Watson and her husband, Greg, of Media, Penn., and Maura Giorgio and her husband, Phil, of Hopewell Junction, N.Y.; and four grandchildren, Luke Robert Watson, and Philip, Alicia, and Ryan Giorgio. Several nieces and nephews also survive him.

Bob was born in Yonkers, N.Y., on February 10, 1928. He was the son of Capt Thomas J. and Veronica (Kelly) Tynan. He graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, King’s Point, N.Y. He sailed on several merchant ships, including the SS Independence, a new passenger ship, before serving in the US Navy as Engineering officer on the USS Lloyd, a destroyer escort, during the Korean War.

After completing studies for a master of science degree from Columbia University, Mr Tynan joined Sikorsky Aircraft’s engineering department. He was appointed project engineer on the H-34 helicopter, a US Army utility helicopter. This was the first helicopter used to transport President Eisenhower. He was senior project engineer and engineering manager for the S-64 flying crane helicopter.

Mr Tynan was ultimately named program manager/engineering manager for all Sikorsky commercial aircraft. He served as chief of design, Black Hawk engineering manager, and Black Hawk program manager, and ran the Black Hawk production line.

His last significant assignment was corporate director of development for Westland Aircraft, a British aircraft corporation. He retired in 1991.

During the homecoming reunion of 2005 at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Mr Tynan was recognized with the award for Outstanding Technical Achievement by Vice-Admiral Joseph Stewart, superintendent of the academy.

Mr Tynan was a longtime member and past president of Newtown Lions Club. He was a former member of the Heritage Village and Pomperaug Golf Clubs. He was a member of Newtown Congregational Church.

An avid fisherman and hunter, Mr Tynan was a member of Newtown Fish and Game Club for many years.

Visiting hours will be at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street in Newtown from 5 pm to 8 pm on Friday, August 4.

A celebration of life service will take place at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, on Saturday, August 5, at 1 pm. Burial will follow in Newtown Village Cemetery.

Donations may be made in his memory to Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, Newtown CT 06470, or to Bethel Visiting Nurses, 1 School Street, Bethel CT 06801.

The Newtown Bee        August 4, 2006