Robert Emanuel Kapustka, 69, of Huntsville passed away on Monday. Robert was born in Ord, Nebraska to Iryne and Emanuel “Spud” Kaputska. He grew up in Elyria, Nebraska and attended school in Elyria and St. Mary’s Catholic School in Ord. He graduated from Ord High School in 1963 with a full scholarship to the University of Nebraska where he graduated in 1967 with an Electrical Engineering Degree. He married his high school sweetheart, Karol Burson on January 21, 1967 in Elyria. They moved to Huntsville following graduation where Robert went to work for NASA until his retirement in 2008 (41 years). Some of the many programs he worked on were Sky Lab and the Space Station. He coauthored many articles while working for NASA.
He was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church where he served as Minister of the Eucharist for many years. Previously, he was a member of the Queen of the Universe Catholic Church and Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
His hobbies included deer and elk hunting with bow and arrow, canoeing, reading, grandchildren, bridge, traveling, and golfing. Bob coached softball for many years. He coached youth hockey, ran the clock for UAH hockey games and taught bow hunting safety courses.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Karol Kapustka; children, Tacoma and wife, Dana, of Atlanta, GA and Michele Roach and husband, Charles, of Austin, TX; grandchildren, Mackenzie and Elizabeth Roach, and Pierce, Reese, and Allison Kapustka; and brother James and wife, El, from Wilton, CT. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, William, Daniel and John David.
To honor and celebrate his life, visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday at Good Shepherd Catholic Church immediately followed by the service at the church, with Fathers Louis Giardino and Phil O’Kennedy officiating. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Harris Home for Kids or Wounded Warriors.
Thank you goes to Dr. Luther Carley, Dr. Evan Cohen, Dr. Bobby Johnson, Dr. Nita Herrington, Dr. Richard Gualtieri, Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville EMS, and friends and family.
