Robert W. Wilkinson

Robert W. Wilkinson Passed away at the age of 83, on Father's Day, June 15, 2008, in San Jose. Bob was born in Saginaw, MI on Dec. 9, 1924. He enlisted in the navy during WW II and was stationed in San Diego where he married Esther Ronning of Alcester, SD. Following their marriage they moved back to Saginaw and after the birth of their two daughters relocated to Pasco, WA. While working for the Tri City Herold he earned his AS Degree in math from Columbia Basin College and served as CBC's ASB President. They soon moved to CA where he obtained his CA Registered Professional Engineer License. During his extensive career as an engineer with FMC, Lockheed, and Pan Am, he lived and worked in San Jose and Lom Poc, CA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Seattle and Poulsbo, WA. Over the years he dedicated his time to serving Bethel Lutheran where he was a charter member and instrumental in the establishment of the church. He was responsible for many of the church building projects and was active as president and other leadership roles. One of his many joys was singing in the church choir, the West Valley College Masterworks Choir, and the Norwegian Singing Association of the Pacific. This led to several concert tours throughout Europe and CA, but his ultimate experience was singing in Carnegie Hall. Other joys included devotion to friends and family, golfing, boating, fishing, woodcarving, and playing Bridge. He recently received an award for his forty-years of service and membership in the Sons of Norway, quite an accomplishment for a man without any "Norwegian heritage". He and his beloved wife Esther were married for fifty-five years before her unexpected death in 2000. He leaves behind his wife Myrtle Filipi of Arvada, CO and his sisters Betty Leitow of Saginaw, MI and Jackie Carte of Kennewick, WA and their families. He was the loving father to Pegi and Tom Ard of Santa Cruz, Kris and Russ Pugh of Los Gatos, grandfather to Brian Ard, Kristin and Michael Trummer, Darin, Michael and Kimberly Pugh, and great-grandfather of Kayla Trummer. Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on June 23, 2008, at 10:30 am at Bethel Lutheran Church, 10181 Finch Ave., Cupertino, CA 95014. To honor his memory contributions may be made to the Bethel Lutheran Church Music Program or the Am. Heart Assn, 1710 Gilbreth Road, Burlingame, CA 94010.