Robert B. "Bob" Wilson

Bob Wilson lived a full life of adventure and service, acquiring a number of monikers throughout his 87 years. Whether he was called Bob, Cubby, Uncle Bob, Daddy, Bobpa, or Grandbob, his friends and family knew him as a seeker of new experiences, never one to stay put too long in any one place.

He served in the Army Reserves while earning his degree from the University of Missouri–Columbia. From 1963 to 1965, he served with the International Voluntary Services in Vietnam, earning a Certificate of Merit for his work. After his first daughter was born, he returned to Vietnam, serving in a variety of roles to better the lives of the men, women, and children of a country at war. He and his family left Saigon in the 1970s and returned to Missouri, where Bob continued his life of service as a health program administrator with the Department of Health.

After retiring, he returned to volunteer work abroad with a number of organizations in Somalia, Namibia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Once fully retired, he decided the Southwest was where he wanted to keep seeking adventure and peace. He made his home in St. George, Utah, his jumping-off point for many great explorations throughout the Southwest and Northwest.

Bob was active all of his life and could be found on the tennis court, where he played often and competitively. He earned numerous league awards and competed in the Missouri Senior Games. He also loved the quieter pace of fishing and hunting, especially fly fishing, and earned the title of Master Angler in Missouri.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Leigh Ann; parents, Jane and John Wilson; his sisters, Virginia and Marge (Stanley); and his aunt, Dorothy Wilson. He is survived by his daughters, Virginia (Jeff) and Juliette (Mike); his niece, Ellen (Michael); his grandchildren, Caleb (Linda), Lindsay Jacob "Jake" (Olivia), Macy (Michael), Todd (Alyssa), Jonathan, Wilson, and Elanor; great niece, Jane (Max): great nephew, Robin, and six great-grandchildren.

True to his spirit, Bob asked that his life be celebrated rather than mourned. The family will gather to honor him at a later date. Wherever Bob is now, we suspect there's a trout stream close by, a heated tennis match underway, and a dry martini within reach.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory/story of Bob or a message of condolence to his family, you may do so below within "Add a Memory".