User:Rkotlarek

Robert Edward Kotlarek (April 23, 1970) is a field archaeologist and ordained minister. He currently resides in Luray, VA.

Background

Robert Kotlarek was born in Lower Bucks County, PA to Edward Alexander Kotlarek and Patricia Diane (nee: Sulzer) Kotlarek. He lived in Levittown, PA until the age of two when his family moved to Edgewater Park, NJ. There he attended Anne C. Jacques Elementary, Magowan Elementary, and Ridgway Middle Schools. Upon graduation from Ridgway Middle School he attended Burlington City High School in Burlington, NJ, where he studied Drafting and was on the chess and tennis teams. After high school, he majored in Engineering at Burlington County College in Pemberton, NJ.

In 1989, Robert joined the United States Naval Reserve, serving with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light Nine Four in Willow Grove, Pa as an Aviation Anti-Submarine Warfare Technician. He was awarded the National Defense Medal, the Battle "E" ribbon, and the Cold War Recognition Certificate for his service.

Robert pursued work in the engineering and electronics fields in aerospace and telecommunications for companies such as General Electric, Lockheed Martin, Seimens Rolm, and Advanced Energy. During this period in his work life Robert studied Spacecraft Design at Mercer County College, Multimedia Technology at NRI Schools, and Electrical Engineering at Grantham College of Engineering.

Late in his career Robert began pursuing a liberal arts education, eventually earning two degrees: one in Education and one in Liberal Arts and Sciences. His interest in Archaeology came from a summer field school he had taken as a personal enrichment course. After his position at Advanced Energy was outsourced, he pursued employment in the cultural resources management (CRM) field.

Robert began his new career as a volunteer with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), working in GIS development. In 2004, he took a position as a paid researcher with Langan Engineering and Environmental, and soon after was offered a position as a Program Associate with NJDEP, where he continued his work in GIS. In late 2006 he left NJDEP to pursue work as an archaeologist in the civillian sector. He has worked on archaeological projects in Arkansas, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Michigan, Tennesee, and Virginia.

Memberships and Affiliations

The Archaeological Society of Virginia

The Council of Virginia Archaeologists

The World Archaeological Congress