Robert Thorndike

Robert Wilson Thorndike, age 70, of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, passed away on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at Chester County Hospital in West Chester, PA. Born in Red Bank, NJ, he was the son of the late Otis Robert Thorndike and the late Helen Joyce Wilson Thorndike Holmes.

Bob graduated from the Frankfurt International School and attended Westminster College and Muhlenberg College. While living in Germany, he traveled extensively throughout Europe.

Bob always worked as a freelance sound engineer and an audio/video technician. His keen mind, quick wit, and pleasant personality plus his ability to tinker and fix most things enabled his extensive career. Over the years he interviewed actors, musicians, and various celebrities to produce industrial and music videos, biographies, and documentaries. His assignments took him to many different countries all around the world. He was proud to have assisted PBS, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Behind the Scenes, Longwood Gardens and several cable television channels. Locally, he captured Wilmington City Council's meetings on TV22.

Bob was a free spirit who enjoyed recreational flying, downhill skiing, and most of all sailing. He moved to Boulder, CO in 1983 and then on to Newport Beach, CA, where he lived until 2013, when he moved back to Chester County.

He is survived by sister Ann Thorndike of Kennett Square, one uncle, aunts, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his other sister, Susan May Thorndike Kooy. He will be missed by a lengthy list of acquaintances, many of whom will always remember his sunny disposition and humor, his adventurous spirit, his passion for sailing, and his trusty pocketknife, which always came in handy. Bob shined a bright light on all who knew him, and he will be missed.

Private interment will be in Union Hill Cemetery, Kennett Square. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Historic Kennett Square at https://historickennettsquare.networkforgood.com/ or a check can be made payable to Kennett Collaborative and mailed to 106 West State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Arrangements are by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory ( 484-734-8100 ) www.griecofunerals.com