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Robert Wilson Obituary
Bob lived the Benedictine maxim "listen with the ear of your heart." He strove to listen to and connect with the people he encountered, and to make sure that they knew they were heard. That care for others runs through the story of his life, from his choice of careers to his volunteer work and hobbies, and most especially in his deep and loving relationships with his family and friends.
Bob was a proud native of Washington D.C. He grew up on Otis Street where he organized a neighborhood athletic club and snuck onto the grounds of the Franciscan Monastery to play baseball. He graduated from St. John College High School in 1950 and entered Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. Ordained a priest in 1959, he spent 12 years serving in the US and 3 years in the Philippines.
In 1975, he married Kathleen Doran and returned to the D.C. area to begin a career of civil service that lasted until his retirement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2002. Before his 17-year tenure at USDA, Bob worked for the Peace Corps, Bread for the World, and Farmers Home Administration.
Bob enjoyed jogging, biking, walking, traveling, gardening, and baking bread. Like his father, he was a talented carpenter. Most of all, he loved people. He was deeply interested in knowing others, hearing their stories, and was grateful for every connection he made. This was evident in his dedication to his community: acting as a classroom volunteer for 17 years at Patrick Henry Elementary School (occasionally filling in as a substitute teacher), volunteering at the Arlington Free Clinic, and serving as a lector at Our Lady Queen of Peace.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Frederick and Mary Wilson, his brothers Thomas and David, and his sister and brother-in-law Mary Ann and Jim Sullivan.
He is survived by Kate and their children Mary (Erica), Maura (Matt) and James (Tamara Lyn), his grandchildren Henry and Nora Wilson-Winter, Arden and Ingrid Schneider, and Vera Lyn and Malisa Lyn Wilson, and his siblings Kathy Wilson, Daniel Wilson, and Sarah (Wilson) Hernandez. Bob lived a full and rewarding life and his family remained his greatest source of joy and pride.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated on February 10 at 12:00PM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church (2700 19th St S, Arlington, VA 22204).
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Save the Children, Arlington Free Clinic, or a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jo and Mike Maloney
December 17, 2024
Bob and Kate were our neighbors in Fairlington from 2013-2015. Though we only knew them a short time, both of them had a large impact on our lives as new parents of two boys, new "adults" trying to figure out home ownership, and newlyweds experiencing the beginning of our marriage. Every year Bob let the kids start his Christmas lights, a highlight they still rememeber! Everyday Bob would stop to kick the soccer ball back to our sons in the front when they played or share a short conversation with an overtired stay at home mom desperate for company and a smile (me!) My husband always said Bob was the epitome of father, husband, and grandfather and I agreed (and believed Kate had a lot to do with that too!) The Wilson's will forever hold a special place in our heart and we are proud to have known them both.
Jeanne Svikhart
February 12, 2024
I loved and admired my cousin Bob. So handsome. The best smile ever.
A couple of years ago, I sat down with Bob with my old I-Pad and recorded a couple of videos about his life. Looking at these interviews has been a treasure. It is as if he is sitting across the dining room table from he and we are reliving his life together. I learned a number of things about him that I didn´t know.
Like his Dad, he liked to build things. He was fascinated by cars and his first big project was building a multi-level garage. His dad let him use his tools. He continued to build things his entire life.
He ended up at St. John´s High School in D.C. because a good friend told him he was applying. Bob hadn´t given any thought to where he was going to high school but he liked his friend, so he applied too. His friend didn´t get in, but Bob did. It turned out to be a perfect fit. He was comfortable with the structure and even the uniforms (they were called the mailmen by their rival, Gonzaga High School).
Early on, he gravitated to the school newspaper, appropriately called The Sabre (it was a quasi-military Catholic school) and found he had a love for language, a way with words and a gift for putting a story together under a deadline. He was ultimately asked to be Editor-in-Chief but turned it down. He preferred to be Number 2, rather than Number 1. A natural but reluctant leader - a theme that came up more than once. His interest in international affairs went back to elementary school. We came to the conclusion that he would have been a very effective foreign orrespondent
It was while he was at St. Anthony's that he decided to become a priest. He didn't see himself as a parish briest. He wanted to do something international He ran across a pamphlet in the library entitled -- Maryknoll and You. It seemed tailor made for him. He wrote them. They wrote back and he joined after high school.
Bob was a man of many parts. He didn´t volunteer much about himself. He would rather focus on you. I feel so fortunate I had a chance, through these interviews, to discover how smart, astute, insightful, and thoughtful he was. I asked him to describe his mother in a few words - quiet, warm, funny, loving, serious. Turns out he was very much like his mother. He had the kindest eyes; he was generous, whimsical, welcoming and calm. He was special. A gem.
Neil and Joyce Ehrlich
January 28, 2024
Robert was a gentleman and a great father. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family.
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Gene Kelly
January 23, 2024
Bob was a good, good man and a great friend to me and countless others. His life was filled with love and care of his family, many acts of kindness and helpfulness to friends and neighbors, and numerous forms of dedicated service to his Church, community and society. It was always a pleasure to receive Bob´s cheerful greeting and open-hearted welcome and to talk with him about his wide and varied interests, memories and reading. I will always fondly remember Bob not only as a wonderful personal friend but also as a model of friendship and humaneness.
Linda Moran
January 16, 2024
Linda Moran
January 16, 2024
Linda Moran
January 16, 2024
Linda Moran
January 16, 2024
When you came into sight of Bob, he would look at you with gentle eyes that were full of kind acceptance, understanding, and affection, and as a result you felt lit up in his presence.
He was also a gifted writer. His letters were masterpieces. So eloquent with words, he loved language and reading, and had an extensive vocabulary. Not many people can combine verbal eloquence with subtle wit and humor, but Bob was a Master, and Paul and I were always excited when we were treated to a letter from Bob in our mailbox.
He also was an imaginative storyteller. I was honored one night to hear one of the nightly stories he told his young children when they were in bed, ready to go to sleep. The stories were ongoing, involving Mary, Maura, Jim, and other characters. He told me he made them up on the spot, which I thought was incredible, given he had us all spellbound. I listened to the story in the dark. Next thing I knew, I was surprised to find I was a character in the story-one of his daughters saved me from an airplane accident and became a heroine in the process. No matter what, he made each person around him feel special and unique.
He loved to spoof the ridiculous and absurd. It was ongoing fun that never ended. For example, he got hold of a DVD of a perpetual crackling fire that played, unchanging, for an hour. Upon my arrival, he would excitedly ask me to please come sit by their fire downstairs. He would push in the DVD, and sit back reveling in its "warmth," leaning forward and rubbing his hands together with satisfaction extolling the delights of what a fire can do for you and how it would bring us together. And off we would go. We all joined in and had such a great time. There were many, many more extended jokes and send-offs which delighted us all. Needless to say, I spent a lot of time laughing when I was around Bob, Kate, and their children, and it was pure joy.
I will miss my cousin Bob terribly and will carry him with me by thinking of all the joy and tenderness he brought to us all.
Duane and Judy Zieg
January 16, 2024
We always liked having Bob near us at Friday mass. He was full of joy. We believe his joy has been fulfilled in being with the Lord. We shall miss Bob at our mass, but we hope Kate will be sitting next to us in the future.
Donna Davis
January 16, 2024
My favorite memory of Bob is his beautiful smile and how he would reach out to greet you with his eyes twinkling as if he was just incredibly glad to see you.
Marilyn Picardo Rivera
January 14, 2024
Most certainly a special person commemorated and a great life honored with our family´s deepest sympathy. Bob was an awe-inspiring gentleman who have touched us in ways we will never forget.
Linda Thoms
January 13, 2024
The photo is a perfect reflection of Bob.... a kind and gentle soul. I could always expect a warm greeting and interesting conversation whenever I saw Bob. And, he always remembered the name of my dog at the time. Kate and family, please cling to the many beautiful memories.
Rita Parrilli Metz
January 12, 2024
I am so sorry to to learn of Robert´s passing. His son, Jimmy, and my daughter, Marie Metz, were good friends from their days together at the American Karate Institute. We were all so proud of our children´s karate skills. It was a special time for both parents and students. Rest In Peace.
Kenneth Gerhart
January 12, 2024
Please accept my deepest sympathies on the passing of Bob. I was very happy to be a neighbor to Bob and Kate and their friend for our many years in Fairlington Glen. He always had a kind word or greeting and his children and grandchildren will be his and Kate's greatest legacy. Rest in eternal peace.
Courtney Sullivan
January 12, 2024
I will always remember Bob as an amazing photographer, excellent listener and original member of my favorite duo, Bob & Kate. The kindness and grace they offered each other was one of the greatest demonstration of true love and commitment that I´ve ever witnessed. During a Zoom call with them a few months ago, Bob kept flirting with Kate. She said something to the effect of, "Bob, slow your roll, the kids are watching." He smiled and said, "But Kate, you are just so beautiful." A love story for the ages!
John Sullivan
January 11, 2024
I remember our Uncle Bob visiting us on Greenleaf St in Evanston when I was 5 or 6 and he brought coins from all over Asia which were so fascinating to a young child. I distinctly remember how special this was (reinforced by our mom) that this wonderfully kind and engaging person had traveled so far to see us.
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