Dr. Robert L. Wilson

WILSON, DR. ROBERT (BOB) L. - passed away August 11, 2006 after 89 active years. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he served as deacon and elder. He had a life-long love of learning and teaching. He earned a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin in spite of a five-year break in his graduate studies to serve as an artillery officer in World War II. He continued in the Army Reserves for over 20 years and retired with the rank of Colonel. Soon after the war he discovered his passion and talent for teaching. After completing his Ph.D. in mathematics (1947) he moved to Knoxville and joined the faculty at the University of Tennessee, where he taught until 1956. He worked in the aircraft industry in Texas for two years, helping to design the computer used in the nation's first supersonic bomber, before returning to teaching as Chairman of the Mathematics Department at Ohio Wesleyan University. Ever anxious to share his knowledge with others, he taught a program for mathematics teachers in India and established a computing program at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. After retiring, he and his wife moved to Lexington, VA, where his pace hardly slowed. He did more teaching, including getting back into the math classroom at Washington and Lee University. After his wife died in 1993, he moved to Friendship Village of Dublin, OH to be closer to family. He was an active participant in Rotary with a special interest in their international service programs. He traveled the globe extensively, reaching all 50 states and almost 60 countries, and always enjoyed the opportunity to talk about his travels to Rotary, schools, and other interested groups. A keen sense of humor, which laced his interactions with others, never left him. He was preceded in death by his life's love and wife of 53 years, Anna Katherine (Kitten) Fulton Wilson. He is survived by four children, Bob (Elsie) Wilson of Wisconsin, Bill (Judy) Wilson of California, Kathy Wilson of Ohio, and Steve (Brenda) Wilson of Ohio; eight grandchildren, Kathy (David), Julia (Neil), Jennifer, Bill, Matthew, Kevin, Madeline and Alicia; and one great-grandchild, Megan. Family and friends will meet Saturday at Highland Memorial Cemetery for a 1:00 P.M. graveside service with Dr. Friedrich Schilling, Jr. officiating. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. www.rosemortuary.com