Robert D. Cassagnol

Age 70, of Silver Spring, Maryland

With great sadness, the family of Robert D. Cassagnol announces his passing on April 30, 2026, after a valiant 13-year battle with pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer. Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, he was the son of the late Rosa (Bonefil) and Paul Louis Cassagnol.

Robert immigrated with his family to the United States in 1960 and, from an early age, lived with passion, drive, and excellence. A graduate of St. John's High School, he went on to earn a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern University.

Robert began his career as an electrical engineer with CSC in Northern Virginia, specializing in satellite telecommunications. In 1982, he joined Hughes Network Systems as a systems engineer, where he devoted more than 40 years of service. During his distinguished career, Robert earned six patents and was honored to be part of the future of digital communications. One of his most notable and commercially recognized contributions was to the high-powered direct broadcast satellite service known as DIRECTV. He concluded his remarkable career by working on the integration of modems into multicore processors and contributing to projects for defense contractors.

Outside of his professional accomplishments, Robert's passions included running and cycling. Over the years, he completed many marathons, including the Boston, New York, and Paris marathons, as well as numerous Marine Corps Marathons and the grueling JFK 50 Miler. His favorite race was the Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run in Washington, D.C., which he ran 19 times. In his later years, Robert became an avid pickleball player and made many friends through his group at the YMCA.

Most important to Robert throughout his life was his family: his wife, Karen; his children; his grandchildren; and his 11 brothers and sisters, including his identical twin, Pierre. He devoted many hours to supporting his two daughters, Meaghan and Emmy, in their scholastic, athletic, and professional pursuits. His wife, daughters, and his grandchildren-the three Rs: Reese, Remy, and Ryan-were his immense joy and pride. He always knew that family and their steadfast love were what sustained him.

Robert is survived by his wife of 44 years, Karen (Mealey); his children, Meaghan Drummond (Ryan) and Emmy Robitaille (Joe); his grandchildren, Reese, Remy, and Ryan Jr.; and nine siblings, including his identical twin, Pierre, as well as twenty-three nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, June 13, at 1:00 p.m. at Saint Andrew Apostle Catholic Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, followed by a Celebration of Life reception at King's Contrivance in Columbia, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (www.netrf.org), Haiti Outreach Pwojè Espwa (www.hopehaiti.org), a mission founded by his late sister, Rosemary, or the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (www.nationalmtb.org).