Dr. Robert Laurie Harvey of Lexington died peacefully on Tuesday, October 12th. Robert was born on November 20, 1938 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to John Maxwell Harvey and Mary Genevieve (Robinson) Harvey. In 1948, Robert's parents moved with their five children to a small farm in Battle Creek, Michigan.  At that time, Robert (Bob) was in charge of feeding and milking a small herd of goats. He remained fond of goats throughout his life. Bob graduated from Lakeview High School in Battle Creek, Michigan. While a junior in high school, he was awarded the Boy's First Prize by the Battle Creek Enquirer for his entry, ``How to Get into Space and Stay There." His prize was a three-day trip to Washington, DC and a tour of the Capitol. While there, he was introduced to his congressman and to FBI director, J. Edgar Hoover.

Bob attended Jackson Junior College and continued at the University of Michigan where he received a doctorate in Aerospace Engineering in 1968. While in Ann Arbor, he met Rose Lewandowski, whom he married in 1973. At that time, Bob took a job at MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, where he has been employed ever since.  His work at Lincoln Laboratory focused on satellites.  In addition, he developed neural networks, a subject on which he also wrote a textbook; invented and patented a video telephone with colleagues; and taught evening classes in Mathematics and Electrical Engineering at Northeastern University.

Bob was an avid chess player.  He competed in hundreds of tournament-level games including the World and U.S. Opens.  Bob played guitar at the University of Michigan where he was part of the opening act for visiting performers.  Later, he was part of the Rocky Tops with colleagues from Lincoln Laboratory.  Bob enjoyed reading novels, especially those by Isaac Asimov, Robert B. Parker, and Arthur C. Clark, whom he had the pleasure of meeting. He also read philosophers, especially John Rawles.

Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Rose, daughter, Cara (Andrew) Labell and sons, Ryan and Alex; daughter, Alyson (Patrick) O'Brien and children, Aoife and Sean; and son, John Maxwell (Laura) and daughters, Hannah and Molly.

He is also survived by his brothers, William (Michelle), Richard (Charlene) and David, and nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his sister, Jean.

Burial will be private at Westview Cemetery, Lexington. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 19th at 10am at St. Brigid's Church, 1995 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Food Link in Arlington or to your local food pantry.