Herbert Bilsky

Herbert W. Bilsky, 97, of Lawrenceville died March 16, 2020. Born in New York City, he spent his early years in the Bronx. In the 1960s he moved to Lawrenceville from Mount Vernon, N.Y.

Early in his career Mr. Bilsky invented the first rechargeable battery while working for Sonotone. He continued his professional career in engineering at RCA and GE/Lockheed in Hightstown. While there, he worked on many groundbreaking aerospace projects, including the first satellites that today provide us with communications and weather forecasting, several deep space missions, and the Mars explorers. Previously he had worked for Culter Hammer. Many aspects of his technical contributions to the aerospace industry are documented in the Princeton University library collections.

He attended City College of New York and attained a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific.

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Predeceased by his wife, Barbara (Eisenberg), he is survived by his son, Steven; his daughter, Joan (Williams); three grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

Private services were held March 18 with arrangements by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, Ewing. Memorial contributions may be made to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK).