OBITUARY: Francis Robert Olenek Sr. Passes Away April 10 at Age 90, Worked in Space Program 54 Years

Bob was an Ordinance Specialist at Pan Am

Bob tested and installed the Ordinance on almost every Space Craft that launched out of Cape Canaveral Air Force Base or NASA

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Our Family lost a dearly beloved and devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, Francis Robert Olenek Sr., on Saturday, April 10.

Bob, as he was known, was a devout Catholic who was involved in his church community at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Merritt Island.

Bob was born Francis Robert Olenek in 1931 in Chicago, Illinois. As a young man he joined the Air Force and was based in Frankfurt, Germany. He then relocated back to the U.S. to Patrick Air Force Base in Florida along with his loving wife, Betty, eventually raising their three children in Cocoa.

Pan Am hired Bob as an Ordinance Specialist. For 54 years with Pan Am, which ultimately was taken over by Johnson Controls, Bob tested and installed the Ordinance on almost every Space Craft that launched out of Cape Canaveral Air Force Base or NASA.

He loved his work, and the important value that it brought to humankind. He was greatly respected by all, and he loved the people and the exciting atmosphere in the Space Capital of the World.

Bob is survived by his children, Francis Robert Olenek Jr., (Marilyn), Keith Olenek (Anne), Pam Wheble, his grandchildren, Sean Olenek, Jane Simei, Kelsey Olenek, Kaitlyn Wheble, Ryan Olenek, and Alyson Wheble, and his great-grandchildren, Brayden and Siena Simei.

Online Condolences may be left at IslandCremations.com

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