Robert J. Kachinsky

Robert J. Kachinsky, 72, died surrounded by his family on January 21, 2010 after battling cancer. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Pat (Grant) Kachinsky, his daughters Carolyn Stys of Virginia, Lisa Hickey of Weymouth, Beth O’Brien of Groton, and Amy Alessi of West Roxbury, and his sister Judith Micciche. He was the beloved Papa to 9 grandchildren. A son of Southie and long time resident of Milton and Quincy, it might appear that Bob did not stray far from home. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Bob literally traveled the world – and the world is a better place for it. A graduate of Boston Latin School (’55), he earned degrees in engineering from Northeastern University. During his 38 year career as a civil engineer for CDM, Bob applied his skills to providing sanitation and clean water to those in need around the globe. He estimated he traveled 3 million miles visiting over 100 countries but no one can estimate the number of lives he touched by providing such fundamental public health resources. Bob’s career is marked by many professional achievements. However, he is most proud of his legacy as a mentor. Perhaps serendipity (or knowing Bob, good planning) allowed him to live and work in Egypt; a country that fascinated him since childhood. His self taught knowledge of Egyptian history and his engineering talents earned him the respect and friendship of many archaeologists. It also granted him the opportunity to help map and protect Egypt’s monuments. Egyptologist Kent Weeks summed it up best by stating “Egyptology has lost a great advisor. Our project has lost a valued colleague. And I have lost a very dear friend.” Bob was often accompanied in his travels by his wife and “best pal”, Pat, and their four daughters. Bob readily acknowledged that he could not have accomplished what he had without his wife by his side. His daughters are forever indebted to him for the education in history and foreign cultures he provided. Post-retirement, he shared his talents with Boston’s Muddy River Project, Quincy’s Zoning Board, USAID in Afghanistan and the St. Rock Foundation in Haiti. He was a past president of Quincy Rotary. He shared his love of Egypt by visiting elementary schools and by teaching a course in the OLLI program at UMass Boston. He often successfully encouraged others to see the wonders of Egypt in person. Bob took much pride and joy in his family, especially his 9 grandchildren. He had a kind and generous heart and a wonderful sense of humor making him a cherished husband, father, papa and friend. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Sunday January 24 from 2-6 pm and Monday January 25 from 4-6 pm at the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., Quincy. A celebration of life service will be held at 9:45 AM in the funeral home Tuesday followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM in St. Agatha’s Church, Milton. Internment at Blue Hills Cemetery in Braintree. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Christian Appalachian Project, Attn: Honors and Memorials,322 Crab Orchard St., Lancaster Kentucky 40444