Robert Thomas Carpenter, Sr.

Robert Thomas "Bob" Carpenter Sr., 95, of Frederick, Maryland, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 24th, 2026 at Homewood of Frederick.

Bob was born in Frederick, Maryland on September 9, 1931 to Clarence Stanley Farring Carpenter and Jessie Virginia Main Carpenter. He was predeceased by his brothers, Bernard Farring Carpenter, Ralph Eugene Carpenter, Roger LeRoy Carpenter, James Lee Carpenter and Clyde Richard Carpenter.

Bob is survived by his four children: Carol Riggles, Robert "Chip" Carpenter Jr. (Karen), Karen Carpenter (Glenn Huntington) and Eric Carpenter (Courtney) as well as grandchildren: Lauren Layman, Lindsey Pippy (Jesse), Kelsey Sammons (Logan), Ray Riggles (Maggie), Logan Carpenter, Collins Carpenter and great grandchildren: Bane McDaniel, Eden Tripplaar, Evae Tripplaar, Liam Pippy, Noah Pippy, Jaxon Sammons, Rhett Sammons and Lily Riggles.

Bob graduated from Frederick High School in 1948 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland in 1952, a Graduate Chemical Engineering degree from Ohio State University in 1957, and a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1959. He also completed The Oak Ridge School of Reactor Technology Course, and The Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base Nuclear Weapons Orientation Course in 1958, as well as The New York University Thermoelectric Materials and Devices Course in 1960.

In 1959 the Air Force assigned Bob to the Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power (SNAP) Program, Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Office (ANPO) at the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Headquarters in Germantown Maryland as the first full time Project Officer for the development of radioisotope power systems. As Program Manager, Deputy Branch Chief and then Branch Chief, first as an Air Force Officer and then as a civilian, he managed the R&D program for the design, fabrication, test and operational use of all the SNAP isotope power units and related technology projects, developed by the AEC for terrestrial and space applications. Noteworthy among these was the SNAP-3A which was the first use of nuclear power in space, launched in 1961 and the SNAP 27 which was used on the Apollo 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 Lunar missions.

Bob was an avid sports enthusiast, especially when it came to baseball, football and golf. Above all else, Bob was a devoted father, and a cherished family man. He will be greatly missed.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Homewood of Frederick for the compassion, kindness, and dedicated care shown to Bob during the seven years he was there.

Visitation will be held at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick Maryland on Thursday October 29th from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. with a funeral service at 11:00. Interment will be after the service at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Frederick.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com.