Robert B. Wilson III

1945 - 2018

Robert B. Wilson III
Jan. 9, 1945 - Apr. 28, 2018
Oakland
Robert B. Wilson, son of the late Robert Benjamin Wilson, Jr., and the late Elaine Marie Allen, died at age 73 after a lengthy decline. In 2011, he suffered several strokes and took up residence in the room his father had occupied at The Point at Rockridge, an Oakland assisted-living facility.
An Oakland native, Bob was a 1964 graduate of Bishop O'Dowd High School, where he played basketball and served as class president his freshman year. He then led the debate team to a state championship as a sophomore. In the late 1960s, he took classes at Merritt College, including a pioneer African American Studies course taught by novelist Cecil Brown and attended by Black Panther Party co-founders Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton. In 1976, Bob graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in social welfare.
After working for a variety of social service organizations, Bob had a long career at the San Francisco office of the State Compensation Insurance Fund, where he became an assistant manager before retiring in the early 2000s. In his spare time, Bob enjoyed bowling, bar hopping, listening to jazz, domestic and international travel, as well as local road trips. He was a gifted raconteur with a phenomenal memory, lightning wit and profound appreciation of life's tapestry.
He was predeceased by his wives Toni Jackson and Denise Richardson. He is survived by his son Kevin Wilson of Clemmons, N.C.; his brother Bryan Wilson of Atenas, Costa Rica, and his sister Judith Wilson-Pates of San Francisco.
A graveside ceremony will take place Weds., May 9, 2 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, 6450 Camden St., Oakland.


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