Obituary: Robert W. Lundgren passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 23rd at the age of 87. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1917. Robert earned scholarships to attend both Grinnell College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He received his Electrical Engineering degree from MIT in 1940. During World War II he served as Lieutenant aboard a Naval Destroyer and later as a pre-radar instructor at Harvard. This is where he met Barbara Long who became his wife and the light of his life for 60 years. They were married in Harvard Chapel in 1945. He continued on to head an electronics school at Treasure Island in San Francisco, teaching sonar equipment theory and repair. After the war, Robert was hired by Detroit Edison for whom he worked until he retired as Executive Vice President in 1982. His expertise was in fossil and nuclear fuel and he was recognized in his field for his outstanding leadership in fuel procurement and delivery. He was a lifetime innovator in his field and acted as the primary link in purchasing and delivering western low sulfur coal to the Midwest. He was also instrumental in the introduction of the first 1000 foot freighters to the Great Lakes which were essential in the delivery of western coal to Edison's power plants. The introduction of the low sulfur coal was crucial to improving air quality and lowering the cost of fuel. He was a member of President Reagan's Grace Committee where he studied and recommended improvements on policies and procedures for the fuel industry. Robert represented the electric utility industry in shaping the Staggers Act that deregulated railroad rates, testifying before both houses of Congress. After his retirement from Detroit Edison he was a consultant and expert witness on coal contracts and was a member of the National Panel of Arbiters and Mediators. Bobalouie, as he was affectionately known, enjoyed golfing, gardening, music, photography and travel in his spare time. Bob pursued his favorite hobby, golf, as a member of Forest Lake Country Club in the Detroit area as well as a member of Quail Ridge Country Club in Boynton Beach, Florida. Bob and Barb moved to Scottsdale, Arizona in 2001 to be closer to their family. Bob is survived by his wife Barb; his children Sherry, Sandy and Sue; his grandchildren Rich, Erika and Reid; great-grandchild Oliver; brother Richard; and numerous friends and colleagues. All will miss his dry sense of humor and gentle, steady presence in their lives.
Detroit News Detroit,MI March 6, 2005
Military Service: WW2 US Navy Lieutenant
Occupation: Electrical Engineer - Executive Vice President Detroit Edison
Sources
Newspaper Obituary: Detroit News Detroit,MI Obituary March 6, 2005