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Santa Clara University
Robert A. NulkDecember 1936 - May 2024
The Howard F. Nulk Memorial Scholarship fund was created by Bob’s mother in honor of his father, Howard Nulk, a 1920 graduate of Santa Clara University.
Robert (Bob) Nulk was born in Vacaville, CA to Howard and Hilda Nulk. He died peacefully on 14 May 2024 after two years of ill health.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carol Ann; sons Raymond (Missy), Christopher and Stephen; daughter Kathryn and daughter-in-law Dorothy; grandchildren Taylor (Ken), Jolyne, Matthew and Morgan; great grandson Kendall. He will be remembered as a loving husband, wonderful father, delighted grandfather and great grandfather and a friend and mentor to many.
Bob graduated from Vacaville High School (1954), received his Mechanical Engineering degree from Santa Clara University (1958) and his Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama (1962).
He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Army in 1959. After graduating from U.A., Bob was assigned to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL working in Reliability and Maintainability on various defense projects with the newly formed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and with aerospace engineer Wernher von Braun. He carried this theme throughout his 21 year military career. During the Vietnam War (1967-1968) he served with the 1st Air Cavalry Division. Bob retired in 1979 as a Lt. Col. and began his second career working for FMC-United Defense until 1999.
In his final retirement years Bob enjoyed fishing, many travels and especially genealogy, writing and publishing four books on family history. He was also a lector for 30 years at Holy Spirit Church and served on the parish council.
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