Robert James Jorgensen, Sr., 74, of Fort Bragg, California, went home to the Lord on April 16, 2024, with his loving wife of 47 years, Nancy at his side, after a short battle with cancer.
Bob was born in Minneapolis on Sept. 15, 1949, to the late James Lincoln and Viola Obenland Jorgensen. He was a 1967 graduate of Elkhorn High School in Elkhorn.
Bob then attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. Bob then attended graduate school at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Massachusetts and went on to earn a PhD in chemical engineering in 1975, which is also where he met the love of his life, Nancy who was also attending graduate school, studying Human Parasitology.
Bob began working in Research and Development for Union Carbide in 1976 in South Charleston, West Virginia. In 1983, he and Nancy were transferred to Bound Brook, New Jersey. In 2001, he was transferred back to South Charleston, West Virginia, where he worked until his retirement. During Bob’s 39-year career with Union Carbide/Dow Chemical Company, he earned the prestigious “Chairman’s Award” in 1996 and was awarded over 50 patents from the U.S. Patent Office, on many plastic products still commonly in use today.
Most important were Bob’s innovations in polyethylene that had the ability to be autoclaved without shrinkage, which are commonly found in medical devices and operating rooms.
Bob retired with his wife, Nancy to Fort Bragg, California in 2012, after vacationing in the town numerous times. He fell in love with the town, the people, the climate, and was seen frequently walking his beloved Samoyed dogs, Boris and Natasha along the coast or in town.
Bob has been a dedicated Christian for his entire life, singing in the choir and serving as an Elder at the Griggstown Reformed Church in New Jersey, the St. John’s Methodist Church in West Virginia, and the Fort Bragg Presbyterian Church in California.
Bob enjoyed life. He was an amateur winemaker, gardener, handyman, and home chef. He enjoyed traveling around the world. Bob was also active in his community volunteering with the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens and with the Fort Bragg Presbyterian Church in Fort Bragg, CA.
Left to cherish Bob’s memory is his loving wife of 47 years, Nancy Ruth Jorgensen; son, Robert Jorgensen Jr. (Marla) of Hillsborough, New Jersey; son, Jonathan Jorgensen (Chelsea) of Scott Depot, West Virginia; grandchildren, Hunter, Aiden, Ava, Johanna, Jameson, Peyton, and Jordyn; and sister, Karen Jorgensen of New York City.
A memorial service will be held at a later date to honor Bob’s life.
My condolences to his wife and family.
I grew up with Bob. We lived across the street from one another. Our family’s shared a phone party line with the McCanns. Sometimes he felt more like a brother than a friend. We played baseball practically every day in the summer prior to junior high school.
As we got older our interest changed and after high school we found different paths. I’ll always remember Bob as a good friend and neighbor.
Rest in peace Jorgy.