Robert Irwin Epstein, a retired mechanical engineer who enjoyed traditional Irish dancing, died of kidney failure March 1 at the Mercy Ridge Retirement Community. The former Homeland resident was 86.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and raised in its Flatbush neighborhood, he was the son of Harry Epstein, a high school mathematics teacher, and Ann Warshaw, a homemaker and summer camp counselor. As a 16-year-old he entered Cornell University, from which he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He was an Army lieutenant during the Korean War and served in Korea. After military service he received a master's degree at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
While on trip to Maryland, Mr. Epstein met his future wife, the former Dolores Jane "Dollie" Moeller, who lived in Northeast Baltimore's Hamilton neighborhood.
"My father converted to Catholicism to marry my mother," said his daughter, Linda Praley of Severna Park. "We never thought anything of it and we grew up attending our cousins' bat mitzvahs. Our extended families accepted each other and there was no thought of disinheriting anyone."
They married in 1958 and initially lived in Newark, Del., where he became an engineer at the Thiokol Chemical Co. plant in Elkton, working in polymers and solid rocket fuel.
Mr. Epstein, a licensed professional mechanical engineer, and his family moved to Homeland in 1966 when he joined the Maryland Cup Corp. in Owings Mills. He later was an engineer at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. He retired nearly 20 years ago.
In retirement, Mr. Epstein became a part-time worker at the Towson YMCA. He did personal training.
He once owned his own plane and flew small planes from an airport at the Edgewood Arsenal in Harford County. He belonged to the Edgewood Flying Club.
"Before any of us had a driver's license, my father taught us the basics of flying," said his son, Stuart P. Epstein of Hydes. "He would take his children out and fly us over the Bay Bridge. Or he'd take my mother and one of the children and they would fly to New York or Chicago."
His son, Stuart, also said his father would work two jobs to provide for his seven children.
"He felt it was his duty," his son said.
Mr. Epstein was an avid skier, and he enjoyed golf, tennis, fishing and camping. He was also an accomplished dancer.
"My father was a quiet man with an intelligent sense of humor," said his daughter, Mary Jackson of Perry Hall. "Yet I recall a night we were at the Morris Mechanic Theatre. The show was 'Five Guys Named Moe' and they asked for people to come up on the stage. He was totally game to do that."
Mr. Epstein joined Irish-American organizations, including Baltimore's Emerald Isle Club. He enjoyed Irish music and dance and was a drummer in an Irish pipe band. He danced in a traditional style with the Tir Na nOg dancers. He danced at St. Pius Church in Rodgers Forge and met friends at the Gandy Dancer in Southwest Baltimore and J. Patrick's, two taverns associated with Baltimore's Irish community.
Mr. Epstein was active in the St. Mary's Parents Club. He was treasurer of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Mary's Conference, where a memorial fund has been established in his name.
He donated his body for medical research.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 5502 York Road.
In addition to his son and daughters, Mr. Epstein is survived by two other sons, Robert I. Epstein Jr. of Irvine, Calif., and Mark Epstein of Plymouth Meeting, Pa.; two other daughters, Susan Epstein of Monticello, Fla., and Dolores Epstein of Orlando, Fla.; and 14 grandchildren. His wife of 53 years died in 2012.