Dr. Robert M. Oman, Ph.D., 78, of St. Pete Beach, FL, passed away on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at Suncoast Hospice-Bayfront in St. Petersburg.
Born in Boston, MA to the late Roy Carlton Oman and Dorothy (Wickson) Oman on Aughust 12, 1934, he recently moved back to Pinellas County after residing abroad several years in Singapore.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Judith F. (Kaminiski) Oman; and son, Danial Milton and his wife, Caroline Chuah Oman, of Singapore.
Dr. Oman received the B.S. degree from Northeastern University and the Sc.M. and Ph.D. degrees from Brown University. He has taught mathematics and physics at several colleges and universities including University of Minnesota, Northeastern University, University of South Florida and University of Tampa.
He has also done research for Litton Industries, United Technologies, and NASA as well as through Oman Consulting, Inc. He is author of numerous technical articles, books, CD’s and how-to-study books, tapes and videos.
His academic work includes teaching mathematics and physics at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
His research is in both the academic and industrial environment. His areas of research include electromangnetic theory, semiconductors, gas reactions, physical electronics, biology, magnetic materials, upper atmosphere physics and vacuum measurement. He holds patents on electromagnetic devices, sputter deposition devices, vacuum gauges, and infrared image devices. His complete theory of electron mirror microscopy is published in the Encyclopedia of Electronics and the vacuum gauge he designed was the first pressure gauge placed on the moon during the Apollo missions. Subsequently this gauge was sent on solar travelers. Ever the practical scientist he has worked on environmental problems, ocean farming, highway safety and combining a life-long interest in auto racing consulted with Century Racing on chassis design and vehicle handling.
For his work in mathematics and physics he was named one of the top 2000 scientist of the 20th Century by Cambridge (England) University. He is a member of Sigma Xi Fraternity. He served in the US Army after entering the ROTC at Northeastern University.
Most recently he has devoted his efforts to teaching, writing (three books for McGraw-Hill, one for Burgess and a CD for Wiley and three websites), and consulting. With his son, he co-authored “How to Solve Physics Problems”, “Calculus for the Utterly Confused” and other textbooks. He enjoyed race cars and built his own Formula Vee, drove sprint cars in the New England Circuit, and founded the Needham Sports Car Club.
Interment will be at Bay Pines National Cemetery at Bay Pines, FL.
Please sign the guestbook below.
Judy,
So very sorry for your loss.
Hope to connect with you soon in St Pete.
Denise
My sincere sympathy goes out to the Oman family. Be assured of God’s promise that he will comfort you during your grief (2 Corinthians 1:3,4). Jesus foretold a hope that one day we will see our loved ones again happy and healthy, at John 5:28, 29 he said, “all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” I pray this comforts you as it has our family during loss.
Amanda and I were lucky to have a wonderful person like Dr. Oman in our lives. He was an amazing mentor in physics and in life. We will miss him dearly, but with his amazing inventions, especially for NASA, we only have to look at the moon to feel his presence. Even though he is physically gone, he lives through all of those he touched. Our condolences to Judy, Dan, and the rest of the Oman family.
Kenny and Amanda
Hello Judy and Daniel,
I have been anxious about not hearing from Bob on his return from Singapore so that I could inform the OAHS Class of 1952 about his new location. He has always replied to my emails promptly so I had a premonition this morning that I should do an internet search for any news about him. How terrible to find the news that he had passed away. Bob was such a great friend to me, our Class website, and to our class as a whole. Our deepest condolences go out to your family. Bob will be sorely missed. Bob was our most successful and most respected classmate. Wishing you courage as you face the future. Gerry
Dear Friend Robert Milton Oman,
I am Dr Lawrence Philip,
I need your support to claim the sum of $4.3million United Sate dollars from the bank account of my late client
(Engr Robert Oman)
Send your Full name…..Age…..Occupation….Country…..Phone number,to my private e-mail address
(lawrencephilip001@gmail.com)details on how the money will be transfer to your bank account will be given to you as soon as you reply back to my e mail.
Best Regards
Dr Lawrence Philip.
I wish his sister Dorothy and nieces Barbara & Jane along with his nephew Ted were informed so that we could have come and paid our respects.
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Bob taught my daughter mathematics and she loved his style and patience. I often had brief but illuminating discussions with Bob. It is the mark of a great man that you don’t know of all his accomplishments until his death. But that was Bob, humble as they come. Our sincere condolences to Judy and family.