PHOENIX – Robert James Blaisdell, 73, passed away in Phoenix, Sunday, Aug. 21, following a brief illness.

Born on Aug. 24, 1931, he attended Edward Little High School in his hometown of Auburn, Maine, where he participated on the varsity swim team. Following one year at the University of Maine, he was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., graduating as a second lieutenant in June 1954. Married to Jeannette Poirier that summer, he was then stationed at Fort Benning, Ga., and later Fort Kobbe in the Panama Canal Zone.

In 1957, he accepted a position with Raytheon Inc. in Waltham, Mass., where he worked as part of the original Nike missile program. In 1964, after attending night school for two years, he was granted an M.B.A. from Boston College. He specialized in management and contracts management.

A highly respected businessman, his career – in both the electronics and security systems industry – spanned more than 45 years, with leadership positions for a number of companies including Varian Associates, Omni Spectra and Keltec. Throughout his career, he traveled extensively, working in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and throughout the Americas. In 2002, he retired at age 71, moving back to his home state of Maine.

He was a longtime resident of the valley, moving here with his family in July 1968. All three of his children attended high schools in Tempe, Ariz., and graduated from Arizona State University.

He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed following both the Sun Devils and his alma mater, the Black Knights of West Point. He will be remembered for his love of his family, and a warmth and kindness that touched everyone he met. He was a patient, caring and thoughtful father and grandfather, and a loving husband. His family will miss him greatly.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jeannette P. Blaisdell, and their three children, Jim Blaisdell of Virginia, John Blaisdell of Tennessee and Paula Dunny of Phoenix; five grandchildren; and his sister, Harriet Petersen of Houston, Texas.