Robert Ady

Robert Meloy Ady was born to Presbyterian missionaries in Canton, China on November 29, 1927. He was home-schooled through third grade and later attended CKS School and Shanghai American School. He lived in Yeung Kong and Cheung Chau and left China just after turning thirteen.

In America he lived with an aunt in Dekalb, Illinois, then moved to Omaha in 1943 after his parents and brother were released from Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in Hong Kong.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the end of high school in 1945, then attended Monmouth College in Illinois where he majored in Physics and Philosophy. He later earned master’s degrees in Applied Mathematics and Statistics at San Jose State and Stanford respectively.

He had the good fortune of having outstanding mentors and co-workers throughout his career.

He retired from a career in electronics and systems engineering at age 79. He worked on a very diverse set of applications beginning with underwater sound and ending with Satellite Systems Engineering, including a significant role in developing the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology.

Bob had other mentors throughout his life. While he often marched to a different drummer; his wife, artist, designer and builder of custom homes, and mother marched to yet a different drummer; and his life was greatly enriched by it.

Bob and his wife Bobbie were involved in the “Human Potential Movement” and led groups at Venture in Palo Alto in the 60’s and 70’s.

He was an accomplished swimmer and scuba diver and was an avid tennis player.

Bob and his wife enjoyed traveling, both within and outside the United States, and spent two years living in North Yorkshire in the U.K.

Bob died peacefully at home on September 23, 2020. He was surrounded by family members and was in Hospice care at the time of his passing.

Bob is survived by Barbara Jean Hall Ady, his wife of 69 years. He leaves his sister Carolyn Robb Ady Simonson and his brother Donald Wilson Ady. He is survived by his son Piers and wife Janet, and their children Laurel and Merrill. Also, son Byron and his wife Robin, and their son Meloy, and daughter Lillian Kruzen, and her husband Tristan and son Rowen. Also, son Giles and his partner Grace Cunningham; and Giles’ and Susan Ady’s daughters Brianna and Olivia and her husband John Lee.