Robert Harold Dunn was born August 13, 1929 in Englewood, New Jersey to Virginia and Irving Dunn. He attended Englewood public schools and graduated from New York University in 1950 with a BS in Physics. Following service in the Army Signal Corp, during which he married Nancy Gross, he sought a career in Electrical Engineering. Working first as an engineer, he transitioned to the then-new field of computers, initially as a software engineer and later helping to pioneer the field of Software Quality Management. Robert would go on to author five books on Software Quality Assurance and Defect Removal. Along the way he completed his MS in Mathematics at the Newark College of Engineering (Now NJIT).
Married to Nancy for 61 years, they raised three children in West Caldwell, New Jersey. Along with raising a family, Robert was always keenly aware of the world around him. Working to correct social injustice and preserve civil liberties, Robert worked with the Fair Housing Board in Essex County, NJ as well as being a key member of the New Jersey Committee for the Right to Read. After moving to Connecticut he volunteered to work with special needs children in the Bridgeport public schools.
Fascinated with aviation, Robert learned to fly in the early 70s. He became an instrument rated private pilot, a status he maintained for many years. Always active, he played tennis his entire life and was known to try his hand at anything with a racket. While never at a professional level, he played with enthusiasm and joy well into his 80s. One of his regular tennis partners said of their play “Even though we were not candidates for prime time TV competition, we had a good time”. Another major interest was sailing, and with the acquisition of a modest sloop he became active in the Penfield Power Squadron, twice serving as commodore. He spent many a summer vacation sailing at Linekin Bay Resort in Maine. Throughout his life Robert found opportunities to serve his community and circle of friends. This included the board of his children’s school, the Power Squadron, and the Easton Racket Club.
Throughout his life music filled a special place in his heart, especially chamber music. Upon retiring in his 70s he took up playing the cello for both the love of the instrument and the music. He volunteered at the local public radio station on a regular basis. To see Robert at rest was to see him sitting on the couch, music playing on the stereo and a book in hand. A lover of the printed word in most every form he devoured books with an appetite that seemed unending.
His later years were filled with creating double-crostic puzzles, taking care of his wife Nancy until her death in 2015, and volunteering at the Jewish Home for the Elderly in Bridgeport CT. He always gave of himself to those less able.
Robert succumbed following a brief battle with cancer on December 26th, 2016. He is preceded in death by his wife Nancy Dunn and elder son Stephen M Dunn. He is survived by his brother Edward Dunn, his daughter Susan D Dixon and her husband Chris Dixon, son Jeremy D. Dunn and his fiance Alyxx S Berg, and granddaughter Shasta Rose Swihart and her mother Kristin. In lieu of flowers please send donations in Robert’s name to Jewish Senior Services of Bridgeport (jseniors.org)

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