Robert F. Wildman

Robert F. Wildman Passed away peacefully at 85 years of age, surrounded by family, Oct. 10, 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer. Bob was born in 1922 in Ogden, UT, to Milton Wildman and Helen Westling, and as a child moved to the Bay Area with his family. He attended Berkeley High School and the University of California at Berkeley, majoring in civil engineering. He left in his third year at Cal to enlist in the Army Air Corps in World War II, with duty in the Marianas and Iwo Jima. Later, he served in the Army Reserves, attaining the rank of major. In 1947 he married Virginia Payne of Maryland, after first meeting her in 1941 on a blind date in Berkeley. They initially resided in Crocker Highlands, Oakland, followed by a move to Piedmont in 1964. Bob first worked as an engineer with the City of Oakland; in 1953, he and long-time friend and fraternity brother Robert Morris founded the engineering firm of Wildman & Morris in San Francisco. He continued working with his company until December of 2006, when his illness prevented his commuting to San Francisco. His firm was responsible for engineering projects all over the world, including the Philippines, Guam and Diego Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean, as well as many projects in the Western United States, and is still thriving today. Chabot College in Hayward, numerous public schools in Northern California, and many buildings in various campuses of the University of California were distinguished by his company's engineering design. He belonged to many professional and social organizations, among them: American Society of Civil Engineers, Structural Engineering Society of California, Society of American Military Engineers, Cal Alumni Association, Chi Epsilon, Civil Engineering Honor Society, Bush Street Investment Club, World Trade Club, Monday Domino Group, and Friday Old Friends Structural Engineers. He is survived by Virginia (aka Jimmie), his wife of 60 years, of Piedmont; his son Michael Wildman (Toshiko), of San Lorenzo, also an engineer; his daughter Kim Wildman (John Thornton) of Napa; his grandchildren Chad Wildman, Jeffrey Wildman, Reed Wildman, Daniel Wildman, Joshua Wildman, and Joseph Wildman. Bob was an avid tennis player, and only decided at 80 years of age to hang up his skis. He was fond of jazz, swing and classical music, cribbage, dominoes and fishing. He was a connoisseur of single malt scotch and good jokes. As an Old Blue, he was a perpetual attendee at Cal-Stanford Big Games, and always enjoyed the pre and post celebrations. He will be greatly missed by his family and numerous friends. Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2pm at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. In his memory, contributions may be made to the Engineering Dept. at UC Berkeley.