Oliveira, Robert J. Biochemist, Inventor, Founder and CEO of Hearing Components passed away Sept 5 in Minneapolis, MN. Bob was born on Nov. 20, 1942 in New Bedford, MA to Sinval and Eva Oliveira. Bob was educated at the University of Southeastern Massachusetts (BS), University of Massachusetts (MS), Iowa State University (PhD) and Oak Ridge National Laboratories (post-Doctoral). He met his future wife, Deanna at U Mass. and the couple married in 1967. Bob joined 3M in 1972 where he led the program for the first cochlear implant approved by the FDA. In 1990, he founded Hearing Components. This closely held R&D based company invents, manufactures and markets worldwide, proprietary Comply foam products that improve the personal hearing experience. The company is the awardee of 9 Small Business Innovative Research grants from the National Institutes of Health. A creative and intellectual force in his field, Bob was an inventor of 17 patents and won a patent infringement case at the jury and Federal Appellate Court level at a crucial point in the business development of Hearing Components. In partnership with Dee, Bob founded and led a foundation for STEM college students who demonstrate Drive, Grit, and 'Smart Enough'. He loved to travel. He and Dee enjoyed many expeditions abroad, including over 15 self-guided biking tours in France where they made life-long friends. He particularly enjoyed traveling with his niece Elisabeth and her family. Among his many interests, Bob loved to laugh and converse with others. He also enjoyed jazz, modern art and remarkably bad puns. In addition to his wife and life-long partner Dee, he is survived by his sister, Shirley (Stan) Jackowski; sister-in-law, Elaine Young; nieces Elisabeth (Scott) Edward and Tom Isebrand; and Nan (Jeff), Chris, Robert and Nicholas Evans; nephews Richard (Lucy), Haley and Nolan Young; James Oliveira; and Robert (Candi), Cassie Jackowski. A Celebration of his Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials to The Oliveira R&D Foundation (649 Hale Ave N. Oakdale, MN 55128) are preferred.