Robert Daniel Roesch Jr.

Robert “Jon” of Tempe, Arizona passed away Thursday, February 17, 2022. He was born on September 9, 1944 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Marjorie June Tuffli and Robert Daniel Roesch.

Jon was raised by his mother’s parents in St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated high school in 1962. He attended the University of Miami in Florida, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1967.

After graduation, Jon was part of the Apollo Space program at Cape Canaveral working for the Chrysler corporation. He then worked for Cessna and Learjet in Wichita, Kansas, where he specialized in structural analysis. He later took a job at McDonnell Douglas Helicopter in Mesa, Arizona. After “retirement”, he continued to work as a consultant. Well respected in the industry, he was one of only a handful of people in the United States with authority to approve analysis of rotor blades for the Federal Aviation Administration.

He married Barbara on August 13, 1971 and they began their life together in Wichita, raising two sons and a daughter. Jon was always ready for an adventure. He had a passion for racing his Porsche, and as a member of the Sports Car Club of America and Porsche Club, won several seasons in his class. When their two boys were young, Jon and Barbara bought a hot-air balloon, which became a big part of the family’s life. He taught both sons to fly, and involved all three of his children in ballooning throughout the years. After Barbara passed in 2011, Jon, who was an avid hiker, checked off one of his bucket list items when he hiked the Grand Canyon. In 2013 he met Sarah “Sally” da Fonte, and after seven happy months of dating they were married on October 26th. They had a wonderful time travelling the country and the world. Jon enjoyed spending time with all the grandkids, was always ready to laugh, and was a very good, kind man. He will be joyfully remembered and tearfully missed.

Jon was preceded in death by his Grandparents, parents, and first wife Barbara Conway Roesch. He is survived by his wife Sally da Fonte, sister Sally Bogle (Bob), and half-sisters Robbie Cary (Keith) and Eloise Sarlow (Anthony). He is also survived by his children Jonathan (Bonnie), Robert Andrew, and Katharine, step children Charna, Dara (Jeff) and Ariel (Matthew), grandchildren Laura and David, and step grandchildren Phillip, Elle, Vincent, Marlo, and Ezra.

There was a private memorial held on March 5th, 2022, and Jon’s final resting place is with Barbara at Mariposa Gardens in Mesa, Arizona.