Obituary of Robert Giles Brackett

Robert Giles Brackett, PhD Age 87, born October 8, 1930 in Nyack, New York to Erving B. and Ruth H. Brackett. Devoted husband of 23 years to Hannah Joan Brackett (Brosnan) of Arlington Heights, IL, Tucson, AZ, and of Castleisland, Co. Kerry, Ireland. Preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 30 years, Joyce V. Brackett (Mocco) of Grosse Point, MI. He is survived by his children, James S. Brackett of New York; Jeffrey A. (Christine) Brackett of Harrisville, MI; Vanessa (Scott) Spear of Ashville, NC; Ross H. (Beth) Brackett of St. Clair Shores, MI; and Susan G. (Paul) Wesley of Morganton, NC. Grandfather to Wayne Brackett and Elijah Spear. His is also survived by his loving wife, Hannah and her children, Mary (Patrick) Heidkamp of Chicago, IL; Joseph (Michelle) Barrett of Palatine, IL; Sarah Barrett of Palatine, IL; Siobhan (Joseph) Scianna of Algonquin, IL; Michael (Victoria) Barrett of Palatine, IL; and Sean (Diana) Barrett of Carpentersville, IL. Grandfather to: Ryan (Kaithlyn), Connor and Jack Heidkamp, Amanda Henry, Brittany and Joseph Barrett, Anthony and Andrew Scienna, Gianna Lauletta (Barrett), Christian Barrett, Harley and Bradley Barrett. Dr. Brackett received his BS (1953), MS (1957) and PhD (1960) from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. He was a Lieutenant in the US Army Signal Corps on active duty from 1953-1955. He worked as a research microbiologist for Parke Davis/Warner Lambert Co. developing pediatric and adult virus vaccines, blood products and skin test antigens, both in the laboratory and in human clinical trials. When he left the company, he was the Director of Clinical Immunology in the research division in Detroit, MI. Dr.Brackett worked under research contracts with the National Cancer Institute of the National Institute of Health to produce himan leukocyte Interferon, and with the National Institute of Infectious Diseases to produce experimental Eubella Vaccines, and with the Agency for International Development (US State Dept) to develop an experimental Malaria vaccine. In 1982, he joined the Health Care Division of Monsanto/Searle Company in St Louis, MO where he ultimately became VP of Operations for the Research Division of G.D. Searle Co. in Skokie, IL. When he left G.D. Searle in 1993, he was the Sr. VP of Worldwide Occupational Health. Dr. Brackett married his wife Hannah in 1995 and together they moved to Mount Prospect, IL. He worked for four years with the US Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago, IL. In later years they resided in Arlington Heights, IL and Tucson, AZ.