Robert Ludwig Gadient died February 7, 2010, at St. Joseph's Medical
Center in Washington state. He was born June 22, 1937, to Ludwig
Christian Gadient and Loma Ardelle Murton Gadient in Seattle, WA.
He
is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sylvia Stevens Gadient, and his
four children, Desiree Trahan of Fayston, Thurston Hanley, Sabrina
O'Hanleigh, and Etienne Gadient. He is also survived by his
grandchildren, Ashlie and Heather Adams of Essex and Fayston, VT, Emma
and Tristan Hanley, Jocelyn and Kalea Cavins; as well as his
great-grandson Bailey Smith of Essex.
Robert graduated from
Bellarmine College Prep in 1955 and earned a B.S. in mathematics from
the University of San Francisco in 1968 as well as master's degrees in
telecommunication and business administration. As an expert in photonic
quantum physics, Robert helped pioneer the first nationwide satellite
telecommunications network, led the team that developed the U.S.'s
first nationwide fiber optic network, and earned patents that helped
enable the expansion of the internet.
Robert also taught
advanced mathematics at the University of San Francisco and
telecommunications at Golden Gate University. Robert was loved by
friends and family for his generous and caring hospitality and culinary
skill. He served as a Boy Scout leader and as an officer in both the
Kiwanis and Filipino-American clubs, being recognized as Kiwanian of
the Year.
A memorial service was held February 10 at 10 a.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Gig Harbor, Washington.
