Vincent E. Schirf, Optical Imaging Expert, Dies At 74 Of Parkinson's Disease

SUDBURY, MA—Vincent E. Schirf, Jr., of Sudbury, an expert in optical imaging and complex software systems, died Tuesday, April 25, 2017 after an extended battle with Parkinson's Disease. Born July 1, 1942 in South Bend, IN, he was the son of Vincent E. and Irene (Licherowicz) Schirf. He was raised in South Bend, IN and graduated from Buchanan High School. Vince graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering.

He was awarded a National Science Foundation Fellowship and chose to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering. Vince was employed initially at Eikonix and shared a patent design for a voice synthesizer with digitally stored data. He then joined Itek where he worked on the Viking Mars lander camera, a duplicate which is on display in the Smithsonian. Vince was also part of a team of engineers that designed the imaging for the declassified KH-9 Hexagon spy satellite. Commonly known as "Big Bird", this was one of America's first and most successful spy satellites and was critical in providing intelligence on the movement of Russian nuclear weapons during the cold war. He then moved on to Raytheon for close to 30 years retiring as Manager of the Software System Division. He was awarded a patent for his software contribution to both commercial and military radar traffic control/weather systems.

Vince was a chess aficionado who researched physics for fun, was a dedicated fan of Star Trek/Star Wars and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Beloved husband of 48 years to Kathleen (Goodhue) Schirf; devoted father of Dr. Brian Schirf and his wife Molly of New Albany, OH, Lisa Schirf and her husband Guillaume Goussault of New York, NY, Dan Schirf and his wife Kristin of Hanover, MA and Kevin Schirf and his wife Colleen of New York, NY; loving brother of William R Schirf of Edwardsburg, Mi Mary Ann Ward of Toledo, OH, Margaret J Schumacher of Toledo, OH, Dr Dorothy J Schirf of Columbus, OH, Patricia J Chomyn of Woodstock, GA , James J Schirf of Mishawaka, IN and Annette J Blackford of St. Augustine, FL and; proud grandfather of Aidan, Henri, Maeve, Louis, Owen, Evan, Grady & Allison. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.

The Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, May 6th at 10AM at St. Anselms Church, 100 Landham Road, Sudbury. Interment will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Sudbury. Calling hours will be held Friday, May 5th from 4-730PM at the Duckett - J. S. Waterman & Sons Home of Memorial Tribute, 656 Boston Post Road, SUDBURY. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777.

Obituary via Duckett Funeral Home of JS Waterman