Robert Wickham

On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Robert Dorrance Wickham died while sleeping peacefully at Caretel Assisted Living Center in Brighton, Michigan at the age of 96. Robert was a warm, welcoming and gregarious person who greeted everyone as if they were his favorite person in the world.

Robert was born in Boise, Idaho in 1929 to George and Myrtice Wickham. George’s job as a weatherman required his family to move frequently, so Robert had the chapters of his childhood divided between Idaho, Tennessee, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and finally New York. Robert graduated from high school in Middletown, NY in 1947. Robert attended his mother’s alma mater, Baylor University in Waco, TX where he graduated with a BA (1951) and MA (1953). He met and fell in love with Harriette Powell at Baylor and they were married in 1951. Though drafted in 1950, Robert received a deferment until he finished his master’s degree. He then honorably served as a corporal in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. Over the next four decades, Robert applied his warmth and extroversion to the Houston, Texas hospitality industry. He flourished in this field, most notably in his appointments as the Controller of the Warwick Hotel and founding manager of the University of Houston Hotel in the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. He was also active in many civic organizations like the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Hotel-Motel Greeters International and the National Association of Hotel-Motel Accountants.

While living in Houston, Robert and Harriette had their only son, Mark, in 1959. Robert and Harriette enjoyed dining out, dancing, going to the symphonies, musicals and attending hotel social events. The couple later divorced in 1978.

After retirement, Robert moved to Brighton, Michigan to live near his son and family when his grandchildren were in elementary school. After moving, he soon became involved with Prime Timers, the Senior’s group at Cornerstone Church where his faith was strengthened and deepened. His fellow Prime Timers were his closest friends for the rest of his life. Prime Timers is also where he met his new love, Ilene Mae Kostaroff. They married in 2004. Robert quickly became part of Ilene’s extended family.

Robert and Ilene prioritized attending the plays and sporting events of all their grandchildren. They loved traveling around Michigan and visiting lighthouses. The couple also enjoyed dining out and establishing rapport with the staff at their favorite restaurants. Robert notably collected Peanuts memorabilia and party tricks such as jokes, riddles, and fancy ways to fold napkins with which to delight his friends. In later years, he and Ilene would meet each week with friends from their coop at the VFW Monday burger nights.

Robert was predeceased by his wife Ilene (2024) and his first wife, Harriette Cummings (2020). He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Francis and Patricia Wickham, son and wife Mark and Cheryl Wickham, stepson and wife David and Vicki Kostaroff, grandchildren AJ married to Christopher, Rory married to Alexandria, Connor and Katie. Many others hold close the whimsy and humor that he left behind.

A memorial gathering will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church, located at 9455 Hilton Road, Brighton, Michigan 48114 from 10:00 AM until the memorial service at 11:00 AM. There will be a luncheon at the church after the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan in Robert’s memory. You can donate online at https://donor.gcfb.org/page/donate.