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Robert Wilson Obituary
Robert S. "Bob" Wilson passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 24 at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, CA. He was 93 years old.
Bob was born on January 23, 1929 in Escondido, California, to Wilma and Albert Wilson, making him the second of their five children. Along with his fraternal twin brother Bill he went to a one-room school in Escondido before moving on to play football for his beloved Escondido High. Later he went on to graduate from UCLA (class of '53) after a brief stint serving his country in Korea. In 1954 he married his lifelong partner, Marion, with whom he had five sons. Bob and his family resided in Los Angeles until 2002, when Bob and Marion switched their primary residence to a newly completed home in Rancho Santa Fe, California.
Bob was a real estate broker for Coldwell Banker before starting his own development company with partner Fred Duckett. The success of Duckett-Wilson Development Company, which continues to thrive today under the watchful eye of son Tom, along with The Fish Market restaurant chain, enabled Bob to shift his primary focus towards philanthropy. Beginning in 1982 with the creation of Estrella Park in downtown Los Angeles, he and Marion went on to support UCLA, Colonial Williamsburg, the LA and San Diego Zoos, the San Diego Maritime Museum, the San Diego Symphony, countless homeless organizations and individuals, plus the Paradise High School students and faculty who were affected by that area's disastrous wildfires. Lifelong churchgoers, Bob and Marion attended First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica until they moved south, when they established membership at First United Methodist Church of San Diego.
Bob was a passionate sports fan, especially favoring UCLA basketball and football. His real pride and joy, however, was his family. He was thrilled when his sons began to get married, adding five daughters to the family. Each year's Christmas card trumpeted the latest family additions, which grew to include 21 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren so far.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife Marion. He is survived by his brother Martin (wife Carol), his five sons (Dennis, Tom, Greg, David, and Ric), his five daughters-in-law (MaryAnn, Paula, Nancy, Brigid, and Tandy), and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Bob's name.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Wilson
Rosemary Johnston, president, Friends of PMSP
January 27, 2024
Thinking of Bob this past week on the second anniversary of this death and continuing to be grateful for his enduring legacy and his generosity to the Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park when we created this non-profit cooperating association in 2013.
Derek Eisenberg
January 23, 2024
Happy Birthday Bob!
- the Eisenbergs
Mayra Medina-Nunez
December 15, 2023
Thinking of the late Mr. Bob and Mrs. Marion Wilson and the Wilson Family during this Christmas season. I am grateful for the ongoing legacy and generosity carried on by their children. We continue sending our prayers to the Wilson Family and remembering them in Mr. Bob and Mrs. Marion Wilson in our hearts.
Mayra Medina-Núñez and the Refugee Children Center
January 23, 2023
Remembering Mr. Bob Wilson today, happy birthday in heaven! The ongoing legacy and generosity of Mr. Bob and Marion Wilson will continue to be felt for many years. Sending our prayers to the Wilson Family!
Audrey O Loggia
January 23, 2023
Dear Wilson Family,
Still remembering, very often, your lovely father, grandfather and Patriarch... I know he is still missed by so many... He definitely left a huge imprint on many lives... he was such a kind and generous man. Happy Birthday in heaven, dear Bob. I´m confidant that you and your lovely Marion are sharing a bubbly toast!! Sent with love..
Audrey Loggia
Roslyn (Roz) Munn
April 2, 2022
Thank you so much for sending me the invitation to Bob's Memorial. I was unable to attend, but watched on-line. It was a beautiful service.
I was so honored to be Bob and Marion´s travel agent. I have never encountered two people who were so kind, so appreciative of my work for them and so much like friends. As the years passed, they invited me into their home in Rancho Santa Fe and then in Del Mar with my husband and we enjoyed personal time with them. I´ll never forget the time they offered to let us use their vacation home in Tahoe and then Bob asked my husband if as a favor "would you please pick up my new boat, run it a bit and dock it at our vacation home". The trust and generosity of Bob & Marion touched our hearts. When I arranged their "family cruise", I met and saw that his sons and their wives are the same. What an amazing family. That is Bob & Marion's true legacy.
Trudy Armstrong
April 2, 2022
To the entire Wilson family
Please accept my deepest condolences.
So many loved Bob because he loved so many. He was so proud of each family member and talked so lovingly about time spent with family.
He was so generous of spirit; with his humor and incredible kindness. He has left many incredible legacies. The legacy of how he and Marion have raised their five sons to follow in his footsteps of how to treat people is undoubtedly the Legacy he is the proudest of. His kindness to me will be forever treasured. Bob will be deeply missed.
Derek
March 18, 2022
We love you Bob and Marion. I hope you´ve found Kismet and you are at peace. I´m so glad you both met my oldest daughter. We love you and send prayers and warm regards to the Wilson family. God Bless
- the Eisenbergs
Mayra Medina-Núñez from the San Fernando Valley Refugee Children Center, In
March 17, 2022
We mourn the passing of one of our dear supporters and benefactors, Robert S. "Bob" Wilson. What a legacy he and his late wife Marion Wilson left, their positive impact in our communities has been felt for years and we are so grateful for having been recipients of their generosity. We send our deepest condolences and prayers to all the Wilson family.
Susan Bien
February 27, 2022
Marion and Bob were neighbors in RSF. They were fun, caring, kind and very generious people. Above all they loved their family and each other. I was so lucky to have crossed paths with them.
The Harroun Family (Bob, Linell, Kim Baker & Sandy Paolella)
February 4, 2022
He was an AWESOME man and will be ever so missed by so many. Thank you for touching our lives and all the memories. GOD Bless.
Arpad and Linda Tota
February 2, 2022
Its inspiring and encouraging to know the world is still being blessed by such caring and giving people.
Virginia Unanue
January 30, 2022
I was so blessed to benefit hugely from his philanthropy. As an elementary teacher who taught American History, I was one of the teachers who were given a week in Williamsburg, free of charge. It helped tremendously in my teaching of this subject. My eternal thanks. His gift has benefited hundreds and hundreds of students in San Diego.
Debbie & Ralph Richey
January 30, 2022
Please accept our condolences.
Our 25 plus year friendship with Bob and Marion has been a true blessing. They were amazing people in so many ways. They were, indeed, powerful people. That power, however, came from their genuine and down to earth love for people, life and humanity. We will cherish all of our memories with Bob and Marion; the many dinners together, our time together at Williamsburg, the hours of interesting discussions, and a Christmas ornament Marion gave to us many years ago (which brings them forefront in our minds every year when we hang it on the tree). They loved their family so and everyone who associated with it. They loved their friends. They loved and enjoyed life and they gave life their all. And always with a smile.
What a wonderful way to be. We, too, will miss Bob and Marion. He is finally reunited with his beloved.
John Mounier
January 30, 2022
Bob was generous and charitable - a big loss for all who knew him. Go Bruins!
John Mounier -
Dede Lehmkuhl
January 29, 2022
Through my family´s 30+ year friendship with Greg and Nancy, we were honored several times to share special occasions with Bob and Marion, and their graciousness, generosity, and love for family showed in everything they did. We send our deepest condolences and prayers to all the Wilson family.
Audrey LOGGIA
January 29, 2022
I am so very sorry to hear of Bob´s passing...He was a kind, generous and gentle man, and a wonderful next door neighbor in MountainGate. I know how much he loved his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. I´m sure that he and Marion are happily reunited...My deepest condolences....
Rich and Donna Aeling
January 29, 2022
Heartfelt condolences to the family! We admired his humbled philanthropy and was honored to know him through the Escondido Community Foundation. We will continue on with his passion in giving back to make this world a better place. I will cherish this picture with Bob Wilson and Jack Raymond.
Rosemary Johnston, president, Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park
January 29, 2022
When the park was threatened with closure several years ago, Bob stepped forward with critical funding to help us 'stand up' our cooperating association. We were able to keep the park open and over the years have funded the park interpreter salary and numerous infrastructure maintenance and improvements at the park. May he rest in peace. Please keep us informed about any memorial services.
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