Rene A. Desjardins
July 6, 1930 — January 1, 2020
Rene Desjardins was born in Maisons-Alfort, France in 1930. He spent many happy childhood years there and also in Joinville-le-Pont, France, a suburb of Paris. He knew even at an early age that his life's work would be in engineering and so he began his specialized courses of study while still in his teens.
Rene could see that his future was in the United States. He immigrated here in 1960, via Canada, and worked for several aerospace companies, including Grumman, where he worked on the NASA moon landing project. From there he moved to Philadelphia to the Boeing Division (Helicopters) where he excelled as a manager in Research and Development. Over his thirty years with Boeing he was credited with thirteen aviation patents to his name. During this same time, Rene became a United States citizen, of which he was very proud.
Rene also remembered those who were less fortunate. For thirty years he served as president of the French Benevolent Society of Philadelphia, an organization that provides financial and scholarship assistance to those most in need. The Government of France recognized Rene’s selfless efforts on behalf of the poor by awarding him a knighthood.
In addition to his business career and his work with charity, Rene found time to enjoy many sports, among them, bicycling, running, canoeing, sailing, and petanque.
But over all, the part of Rene's life that gave him the most joy was his family, to whom he was most devoted and by whom he was most loved.
Rene is survived by his wife Margaret, daughter Gabrielle (husband Gary Warnecker), son Philippe, grandson MacKenzie, granddaughter Sidonie, sisters Denise (husband Raymond Sansoz, dec.), Anne Marie (husband Edmond Marcheti, dec.), Madeleine (husband Roger Martin, dec.), Christiane (husband Dominique Gallimard, dec.), Francoise (husband Michel Lucien), and many nieces and nephews.
Private services were held in Palm Beach County, Florida. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.
Rene could see that his future was in the United States. He immigrated here in 1960, via Canada, and worked for several aerospace companies, including Grumman, where he worked on the NASA moon landing project. From there he moved to Philadelphia to the Boeing Division (Helicopters) where he excelled as a manager in Research and Development. Over his thirty years with Boeing he was credited with thirteen aviation patents to his name. During this same time, Rene became a United States citizen, of which he was very proud.
Rene also remembered those who were less fortunate. For thirty years he served as president of the French Benevolent Society of Philadelphia, an organization that provides financial and scholarship assistance to those most in need. The Government of France recognized Rene’s selfless efforts on behalf of the poor by awarding him a knighthood.
In addition to his business career and his work with charity, Rene found time to enjoy many sports, among them, bicycling, running, canoeing, sailing, and petanque.
But over all, the part of Rene's life that gave him the most joy was his family, to whom he was most devoted and by whom he was most loved.
Rene is survived by his wife Margaret, daughter Gabrielle (husband Gary Warnecker), son Philippe, grandson MacKenzie, granddaughter Sidonie, sisters Denise (husband Raymond Sansoz, dec.), Anne Marie (husband Edmond Marcheti, dec.), Madeleine (husband Roger Martin, dec.), Christiane (husband Dominique Gallimard, dec.), Francoise (husband Michel Lucien), and many nieces and nephews.
Private services were held in Palm Beach County, Florida. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.
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