Robert D. Pickett, Sr

Pickett, Robert D., Sr. of Hingham, October 28, 2003. Beloved husband of Audrey (O’Neill) of Hingham. Loving father of Robert D. Pickett, Jr. and his wife Catherine of Marshfield, Gilbert Pickett and his wife Patricia of Merrimack, NH and Deanne Smith and her husband Joseph of Plymouth. Loving brother of Eileen Quirk of Worcester, Virginia Haley-McKee of Harwich and Carolyn Turner of OH. Also survived by 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Bob Pickett was born July 7, 1919 in Hingham and remained a long time Hingham resident. He graduated from Hingham High School in 1936 and Mass. Institute of Technology in 1940, with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Throughout World War II until the mid-1980’s he worked in the Aerospace and Defense industry (Lockheed, Chance-Vought, Grumman, Raytheon) designing aircraft and missiles for the Navy and Air Force. A member of the ‘Greatest Generation’ he lived through the Depression, supported his country’s war effort in WW II, and helped to build America in the 50’s & 60’s. Bob retired from Raytheon Systems in 1985 after 28 years of service.Throughout his life he loved family activities, from days at the beach to vacations in the mountains. Any time with the family was precious to him, both with his wife & children, siblings, and grand­children. Bob and Audrey always tried their best to attend family sporting events, plays and concerts. He especially loved the yearly tradition of the Hingham 4th of Juiy Parade followed by a family cookout!He also had a great love of sailing. From building a small Turnabout sailboat (“Dingbat”) from a kit to captaining his own 26-foot sloop (“Aisling”) , he loved the ocean, the salt breezes, and the challenge of navigating through the Cape & the Islands. Many happy days were spent with family on the Cape and in the Bahamas on the Windflower (Jake & Carolyn Turner’s sailboat). Bob was a member of St. Paul’s Parish for over 45 years; his children attended St. Paul’s school, and he also belonged to the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid reader & researcher all his life. He loved history, aviation, science, and politics; and could have a good Irish debate on these subjects with the best of them!Most of all – his Family was his life- and he loved & cared for his wife Audrey & family unconditionally. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral from the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central St.), HINGHAM Friday at 9:15 AM. Funeral Mass in Saint Paul’s Church, Hingham at 10 AM. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 PM. Burial in Saint Paul’s Cemetery, Hingham. Donations in memory of Mr. Pickett may be made to Hospice of the South Shore 100 Baystate Drive P.O. Box 9060 Braintree, MA 02184.