Robert Kutarnia

Robert P. Kutarnia

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Robert P. Kutarnia passed away January 9th, 2021 three days before his 100th birthday. In his last few days, his home was filled with love, and shared memories together with family around him.

Lt. Col. Kutarnia was born in a small mining community in Forest City, Pennsylvania on January 12, 1921. This beautiful town is nestled among many lakes and hills. It was a wonderful place to grow up fishing, hunting, and finding childhood adventures. His love for the great outdoors continued through the rest of his life and was shared with his family.
Robert met his wife Dorothy Louise Richards in 1950. They married January 25, 1952, sharing 69 years of love, devotion, values, and life’s joys.

Robert lived an accomplished life both at home and in the military services.

He joined the U.S. military in 1938 leaving as a Captain in the Reserves. Soon school became important and he earned the following degrees: Bachelor of Science from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, and a Masters of Nuclear Science from the University of Illinois at Champagne in 1952. The Air Force recalled him after graduating with his Bachelor’s degree. Once he completed his Master’s from the University of Illinois, the Air Force assigned him to Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico as a physicist from 1952-1955. From 1955-59 he was stationed at Kirtland USAF Base as the Projects Liaison Officer at the Applications Division, Research Directorate. He received his promotion to Major at this time. From Kirtland the next assignment was USAF Headquarters at the Pentagon in Washington, DC serving as the Weapons Research and Development Officer from 1959-1962. He returned to Kirtland USAF Base in 1962 as the Program Director at the Weapons Effects and Test Division and then as the Assistant for Systems Support at the AF Weapons Laboratory. His promotion to Lt. Col. was achieved in 1962. He served as the Branch Chief, Weapons Integration Branch at the AF Weapons Lab until he retired from the Air Force in 1966. His next career began at Sandia National Laboratory as a Weapons Development Physicist and retired in 1982. He authored many papers in the Nuclear Science field during his career and participated in weapons tests in the Pacific and Nevada.

His awards include: The Joint Commendation Medal for Roller Coaster Atomic Test, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Guided Missile Insignia.

He and his wife (Dot) never stopped living each day without the excitement of travel after retirement. They explored the Americas, Canada, Alaska and the Caribbean with friends and family.

Robert (Papa) left behind his wife Dorothy; 2 daughters, Sandra, and Donna Kutarnia; 4 grandchildren, Jamie Ottusch, Chad Wolver, Troy Wolver, Jessie Durango; and 5 great grandchildren, Tyler, James, Elly, Nevan, and Ripley. He is survived by one sister, Celestine Cicco, and her four children, Mary, Susan, Christine, Gene; along with many nieces and nephews. He loved and cherished each and every one.
He wasn’t a man of many words but the few he did say were immensely important in those moments…
“Everything is going to be ok.”
-Papa-

Memorial contributions can be made to:

National Park Foundation
(General)
Official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service
give.nationalparks.org

Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park
friends-pnhp.org
Click on "Support"

Los Amigos de Valles Caldera
www.losamigosdevallescaldera.org
Click on "Support Us"

Or if you already have a favorite charity we welcome you to make a contribution in Robert's name.