Robert T. "Bob" Wickham

1940 - 2021

Robert T. "Bob" Wickham

Stratham, NH - Robert T. Wickham, 81, of Stratham, New Hampshire passed away at home after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis on March 27, 2021 surrounded by his family. He was born on February 25, 1940 in Neenah, Wisconsin to George and Mae (Ennis) Wickham. In 1962, he married Christine Swenson, also of Neenah and a fellow student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Christine had been the love of his life and his best friend for over 58 years. Bob had always been the rock and true love in Christine's life and will be dearly missed. Bob graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After graduation Bob went on active duty with the U.S. Army serving in the grades of lieutenant through captain. He served as an intelligence officer at Headquarters U.S. Army Europe in Heidelberg, Germany after which he served as a combat engineer unit commander in the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Augsburg, Germany. Upon leaving the Army in 1966, Bob began his career in the fire protection field as a development engineer with The Ansul Company and moved up the ranks of Ansul and its successors Wormald and Tyco. He finished his work with fire equipment manufacturers serving as the president of Kidde-Fenwal in Ashland, MA from which he retired in 1995. He was a registered professional engineer in Wisconsin, Texas and New Hampshire. In 1995 he began work as a freelance expert identifying and bringing to market alternatives to ozone layer depleting fire extinguishing agents. In that capacity he worked for the World Bank in China to convert manufacturing plants to more environmentally friendly fire extinguishing agents. In addition, he focused on work with standards making organizations serving on many national and international technical committees as a fire protection systems and agents expert. These included the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Organization for Standardization, the National Fire Protection Association, the American National Standards Institute and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. For his achievements in this field, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded Bob two Stratospheric Ozone Protection Awards and one Climate Protection Award. In addition, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recognized Bob for his work as a lead author on a report that resulted in the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to that organization in 2007. Bob was a loving father to his daughter, Linda and son, Mark. He was a steadfast constant in both of their lives, providing guidance and emotional support from the very smallest of tasks to overcoming life's larger challenges. Bob was very mechanically inclined and performed a neverending number of improvements and repairs to his own home as well as those of his children. He always looked at these situations as opportunities to pass-on his knowledge and experience, while patiently explaining the why behind things. Most of all, he was a tremendous role model in all walks of life, whether be it personal or professional, his unfailing love and extraordinary morals will continue on as life lessons through his children. Survivors include his wife Christine and their two children Linda Wickham (Paul Halberg) of Platteville, WI and Mark Wickham (Jodee Frawley) of Northborough, MA; four grandchildren Michael Winger (Sarah), Laura Hruska (Patrick), Thomas Wickham and Allison Wickham; two sisters Helen Beringer (John) and Dorothy Amidei (Richard) and a brother Richard Wickham (Marge); three sisters-in-law Karen Hansen (Peter), Jan Coakley and Linda Swenson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

There will be a private service and funeral in Wisconsin at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Boys Town at the following URL: https://www.boystown.org/

Brewitt Funeral Home, Exeter, NH assisted with arrangements.