Dr. Robert M. Sorensen
- herronfh
- Dec 30, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Dr. Robert M. Sorensen, professor emeritus of hydraulic and coastal engineering in Lehigh University’s Department of Civil Engineering, passed away December 30, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was 87. He is survived by his wife of almost 40 years, Rita, and four children: Jonathan M. of Centerville, VA; Jen and her husband Charlie DeMatteo of Breinigsville, PA; and Mark J. and John R., both of Bethlehem. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Adam, Megan, and Courtney Sicinski. He was predeceased by his parents, Connie and Martin Sorensen of Fords, NJ, and his sister Marlene Reidel of Meredith, NH.
An international expert on waves and beaches, he was the author of two textbooks: Basic Coastal Engineering (three editions) and Basic Wave Mechanics as well as numerous articles in engineering journals and technical research reports. Prior to teaching at Lehigh, he was head of the Coastal Processes and Structures Branch of the U.S. Army Coastal Engineering Research Center, Ft. Belvoir, VA. Earlier in his career he was a faculty member at Virginia Tech, Texas A&M and Valparaiso Universities.
He earned his B.S. in civil engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology, his master’s degree at Lehigh, and his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley.
A lifelong Yankee fan, his best days were when the Yankees won and the Mets and Boston Red Sox lost. He loved his dogs and cats, travelling, and history. In retirement he studied the Civil War in depth. He enjoyed teaching and sharing his love of coastal engineering with the next generation of engineers at Lehigh.
His funeral will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 11 am with a visitation from 10AM to 11AM at St. Andrew’s Church, 1900 Pennsylvania Avenue Allentown, 18109. Funeral arrangements by the Herron Funeral Home in Bethlehem. www.Herronfuneralhomecares.com
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Bob’s favorite charities: The Sanctuary at Haafsville, the Pennsylvania Ave. Interfaith Food Pantry, or Bethlehem Emergency Shelter.
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