Robert P. Jones Sr., Ph.D.

Mr. Robert P. "Bob" Jones Sr., Ph.D., 84, a resident of Thornhurst Country Club Estates, passed peacefully into Eternal Life in the comfort of his home, surrounded by family and friends, on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

Born on Saturday, March 16, 1940, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Bob was one of two children to the late Elmer Jones and Anna (Needham) Sperrazza. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, William Jones; a half-sister, Belle Lynne Jones; and a dear cousin, James Evans.

Left to cherish his memory are his three sons: Robert P. Jones Jr. (Faith A. Jones) of Wilton, Maine; David P. Jones (Lisa J. Moretti) of Hampton, New Jersey; Jeffery P. Jones (Amy M. Jones) of Toms River, New Jersey and his beloved half-sister Eileen Christoforatos (Demetrius) of Kingston, PA. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Roman Gardiner, Mackenzie Jones, Rylee Jones, Brooke Jones, Tyler Jones, and Luke Jones; as well as three step-grandchildren, Parker Heckathorn, Mikayla Bausum, and Christina Heckathorn; and one step-great-grandson, Cutler Heckathorn. He will be fondly remembered by several nieces and nephews, including one of his caregivers and loving nephew, Joseph M. Ungvarsky, R.N. of North Wilkes-Barre. Cherished extended family members include: Retired Navy Chief Craig Lawrence (USS Miami, USS Hartford, USS Alexandria) and his companion, Kerri-Anne Moffatt of Griswold, CT, and his caregiver, Althea George, who was compassionate and met Bob's every need. Althea was a friend to Bob and is a treasured friend of the family. 

Raised in the Catholic faith, Bob attended and served as an altar boy at the former Saint Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, South Wilkes-Barre. Years later, he could still recite most of the Traditional Latin Mass.

Educated locally, he attended the former Elmer L. Meyers High School in South Wilkes-Barre before the family relocated to New Jersey. He then graduated from Bernards High School in Bernardsville, New Jersey. Mr. Jones earned an undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University and a doctorate in physical science through his employer, AT&T Bell Laboratories.

Perhaps what brought Bob the most pride was honorably serving our country in the United States Navy and being a plankowner of the USS Independence. He was a proud Navy man. In later years, Bob thoroughly enjoyed submarine Tiger Cruises during his son Robert Jr.’s commitment to bravely defending the United States on submarines: USS Von Steuben, USS Miami, USS Philadelphia, and USS Pittsburgh.

Bob was a pioneer researcher in physical chemistry at AT&T Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, NJ. He co-authored several research papers and held United States patents alongside the notable Dr. Peter Rentzepis, whom Bob affectionately referred to as “Pico Pete.” Together, they delved into the field of picosecond, ultrafast spectroscopy, using LASER wavelengths, color, and sound to extend the applicable uses of light. Their research contributed to the fields of telecommunications and fiber-optics, as it looks today and for the future.

Fraternally, Bob held membership in the Telephone Pioneers of America and was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus, Council Number 302, Wilkes-Barre, PA.

When his sons were young football players in the 1980s, Bob served as the Pop Warner Commissioner in Bound Brook, NJ. He also contributed to the sound and security system of the field house at the venue for South Bound Brook, NJ Little League Baseball.

In his spare time, Bob was an avid deer hunter, fisherman, and master of kaffeeklatsch over a few coffees or beers. He shared impressive and seemingly tall tales, yet always with a keen attention to detail and a smirk that suggested a hint of bloviation. Nonetheless, his stories were consistently entertaining, especially with that twinkle in his eye and the flaring of his nose, demonstrating his excitement at being the center of attention.

Bob acted as Budget Committee Chairperson for Thornhurst Country Club Estates, offering sound advice—whether well received or not—for more than 30 years as a TCCE resident. His cognitive mastery of numbers and mathematical calculations, performed at will, earned him great respect among family and friends, though it often bewildered and disenchanted those who couldn’t grasp his evidenced explanations and solutions.

Memorial funeral services will be conducted on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 11:00 AM at The Church of Saint Ann in Hampton, NJ, 6 Church Street, Hampton NJ 08827. Dress however you are comfortable, as Bob would have done. A repast will immediately follow, with the location to be shared after the service. Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of floral tributes, the family would be honored by those wishing to make a monetary donation in Bob's memory and would kindly appreciate your generosity to the Covington Fire Company, Ambulance 452 Daleville Hwy, Covington Twp., PA 18444, in memory of Robert P. Jones, Sr.

The family would like to express their gratitude to everyone who has supported them and Bob during Bob's final days. Those wishing to share online words of comfort or a fond memory of Bob with his family are encouraged to do so by visiting his memorial page at www.JohnVMorrisFuneralHome.com.

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