Wednesday, November 6, 2002

With his wife of 62 years by his side, Robert Tanner quietly passed away on November 2, 2002 in Naples, Florida. Left to mourn are his beloved wife, Joan; his sons and daughter Chris, Rosemary (Raymond Langston), Peter (Susan), and David (Natalie); and his grandchildren Emily Wanechko and Laura, Heather, and Michael Tanner. Following service in the Royal Signals during WWII, Robert emigrated to Canada with his young family in 1947. He joined Northern Electric in Belleville, Ontario. He moved to Ottawa in 1960 where he helped found Northern Electric’s research and development division, Bell Northern Research.

An accomplished acoustical engineer, with the acoustic design of many churches and theatres to his credit, Robert was especially proud of his work on the Festival Theatre in Stratford, Ontario; the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres in Toronto, and the Naples Philharmonic Hall.

He was active for many years in the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), serving as President in 1972. The IEEE awarded him the McNaughton Gold Medal, the Haraden Pratt Award for Service, and the United States Activities Award for Engineering Professionalism. In 1989, Concordia University in Montreal bestowed on him an Honorary LL.D. for his services to engineering.

Robert and Joan moved to Naples, Florida in 1975. Private arrangements have been made. Donations in Robert’s name to The Hospice of Naples, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, Florida 34105 would be greatly appreciated. Condolences may be sent to Joan at 1001 Arbor Lake Drive, Naples, Florida, 34110.