Robert F. Westall

Robert F. Westall, age 57, of Newtown, Pennsylvania, passed at Saint Mary’s Medical Center, on Monday, January 10, 2022.

Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Robert grew up in Yardley and lived in Phoenixville and now Newtown.

Bob was the son of the late Frank Westall and Joanne Lowe Westall.  He is survived by his loving wife, Susan, his loyal companion Oscar, his mother Joanne Lowe Westall, his aunt and uncle Linda and Joseph G. Lowe, Jr., and his mother-in-law Joan White.   He was the grandson of the late Mr. & Mrs. Joseph G. Lowe, Sr. and the late Mr. & Mrs. Frank A. Westall.

Bob attended Drexel University, earning both his undergrad degree and master’s degree in computer science, graduating Magna Cum Laude.   During his time at Drexel, he was hired as a lead software developer for the then newly founded Software Development Group under Drexel’s Office of Computing Services.   As a member of this team, he published several technical papers related to millisecond accurate timing and its pioneering use in software for teaching and research in the field of Neurosciences.

Bob joined the School District of Philadelphia in 1994 and served as the Deputy Chief Information Officer for the last 14 years.

In his almost 25 years with the School District, Bob was responsible for several ground breaking enhancements to the technical infrastructure that supports over 128,000 students and 20,000 employees.  Among his many accomplishments, Bob was responsible for implementing one of the largest fiber optic networks and wireless campuses in North America.   His work managing the federal E-rate program brought the School District over $320M in subsidies.

He served with distinction on the Universal Service Administration Committee’s Schools and Libraries Waste, Fraud and Abuse Task Force of 2003, representing the Council of the Great City Schools, a coalition of the nation’s largest urban public school systems.

Bob’s commitment to Public Education, the Philadelphia School District, and his IT family knew no bounds.  His contributions allowed for systematic change for generations to come.

Bob had a great love for his family, dining out, craft beer, Audi engineering, sarcasm, and installing the biggest TV possible that would fit in a given space.  He was an engineer at heart, and was always trying to find the best way to overthink a project.  He often mentioned how very proud he was of the fact that he would be able to bequeath his wife his complete set of every Columbo episode/movie on DVD.

The services commemorating the life of Mr. Robert Westall will be held privately.

Donations in Robert’s honor can be made to the National Kidney Foundation.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel, Morrisville, PA.