Around 1973, I knew Bob when he was still working in East Fishkill, New York.  Jim Schumacher and I were working with Bob to determine a strategy for process control to build a computer controlled wafer manufacturing line making computer memory on wafer chips.  When we first met our difference were immense.  The two IBM locations were challenged to have one strategy that would work well for both locations.  Working with Bob was a delight as he had an open mine and together we arrived at one strategy.   One day while Jim and I were in Fishkill the day got late and Bob offered to fly us back to Burlington.  Jim and I were happy to accept his generous offer.   So we all drove to the Fishkill airport and got into Bob's plane.  He immediately called the tower and asked for clearance to fly.  Bob had not yet started the engine and when he had it all raved up he checked the magnetos and I heard the engine cut out.  One mag was bad. About that time the tower call back and asked:  "are you  guys going or not".   Unfortunately, Bob had to cancel the flight.  Jim and I drove to Burlington.  Bob later took a job at IBM Burlington and we lost track of one another.  

About  4 years ago I told Jim we should look up Bob as I know he lives here some where.  We both dropped the ball.  Now Jim is gone too as he passed last February 13, 2023.

One day some years ago I was at BTV making ready for a flight for my company. While I was working around the helicopter, a low-wing single-engine plane with a D- registration came in. It turned out to be a German couple who were flying around the world in their Mooney. (Or something similar). They told me they were having electrical issues and since they were headed for Europe via Goose Bay, they were anxious to get things working correctly. I had happened to see Bob over at the T-hangers working on 1VT and thought, who better to help?? So I walked over and asked if he could talk to these people. As anyone who knew him can guess, he dropped everything and we went over and when I finally had to leave for my flight, he and Horst were head to head under the cowl.
I met up later for a dinner with the boys and their wives, Ann and Gisela. I have a photo somewhere of the flying stories which were flying! The next day I heard them on the Burlington Departure frequency as they cleared Burlington's airspace on their way through Canada. 
Bob saves another trip!
I miss him.

Here are a few shots from that fine international time!

Thanks for taking me in, welcoming me to your wonderful family, on my first summer, away from home, away from my twin, as I was an intern at IBM. I have precious memories of those summers in Burlington, of Bob as a Mentor, Teacher and his infectious curiosity. In one case, he watched me eat corn on the cob, like a typewriter, and was amazed that my twin did the same thing. Bob, you were a wonderful person, touching everyone who knew you. May the memories ease the loss. My deepest condolences to the Fiorenza family. Virtual Hugs to you all. Alice

To say Bob was influential to me wouldn't be close to correct. As I got to know him at the CAP I realized that he was a rare man. A man of intellect and true values but with a dry wit which I loved to poke at. He enlisted my help with the airplanes, seemingly always in the winter in the freezing unheated hangers, which seemed to delight him as I complained bitterly. I got know his crew and came to realize nothing was more important to him. Ann and the kids were always so open and supportive if maybe not completely understanding me since I am pretty much the polar (pun intended) opposite of Bob. 
But we did good work together and I learned countless new things with him, not the least of which was what it meant to be a good person.
I will always miss him and remember fondly (mostly) his buzzing rejoinder at my endless whining about the cold, YOU TURKEY!!

I met Col. Fiorenza / Bob through the Civil Air Patrol. I truly enjoyed his mentorship and guidance in all things CAP and aviation. I also enjoyed his stories of past missions, Oshkosh, and his time flying to Gander, Newfoundland (CYQX) where I grew up. Bob was a gentle and detailed gentleman who kept us safe and professional aviators. I will miss seeing him at CAP, and extend my condolences to your family. Sincerely, Capt. Bryan Holland, Vermont Wing - CAP.