Robert Santos, Sr.

Robert “Rob” Alan Santos, Sr., 84, formerly of 507 Clifton Drive, died peacefully at his home in Millcreek, surrounded by his family.  

Born in Erie, January 8, 1937, he was the son of the late A.T. Carl Santos and Edith Wager Santos.   

A graduate of McDowell High School, Penn State Behrend, and the International Correspondence School, he went on to make his career as a mechanical engineer. He worked at Copes-Vulcan, Riley Stoker, and Zurn Industries.  

At Copes-Vulcan, he worked with Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, the “Father of the Nuclear Navy,” and his team on various aspects of the nuclear submarine project, and at Zurn, where he worked from 1974 to 1991, he served as Manager of Specialty Products Sales and Marketing. He made business trips to the 48 contiguous states, and North Dakota was by far his favorite.  

He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Institute for the Certification of Engineering Technicians.   

In retirement, he pursued his lifelong interest in metaphysics and spirituality, particularly the science of healing. His mentors included the Reverend Penny Donavan, and in later years, he developed a deep devotion to the Archangel Gabriel.   

He was preceded in death by parents, his first wife Phyllis Petrone Santos, and his brother-in-law and best friend Thomas “Tommy” Petrone.   

He is survived by his wife Dianne Fluegel Santos, his daughter Linda Santos Schmidt and her husband Jeffrey “Jeff” Schmidt (who was a son to him); his son Rabbi Robert dos Santos Teixeira, L.C.S.W., and his husband Zafir Buraei, Ph.D.; his granddaughter Melissa Stroup and her husband Zachary; his grandson J.R. Schmidt and his wife Akiko Okazaki and their children, his great grandsons, Tomoki Alastair and Hiroto Maximilian.  

In addition, he is survived by his brother Richard Santos and his wife Bonnie; stepsons David Bowers and his wife Julie (along with David’s sons Jordan, Jacob, and Adam); Matthew Meyer, D.O., and his fiancé Courtney Oblinski; and Kevin Meyer.   

The family extends its heartfelt thanks to Rob’s private-duty nurse Janine Lay Utegg, R.N. 

Memorials may be made by donating to the ANNA Shelter or Because You Care.  

Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery near the front entrance. An outdoor public gravesite service will take place on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 12:00 Noon.  Arrangements are entrusted to Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Service Inc. West Ridge 3801 W. 26^th St. Erie.