Bruce Tabor (Tab) Wilkins, Jr.

Bruce Tabor (Tab) Wilkins, Jr. passed away on March 23, 2019 in a backcountry skiing accident on Decker Mountain near Whistler in Canada. Born and raised in upstate New York, Tab entertained a lifelong love of ice hockey, travel, skiing, climbing and adventuring in the outdoors with friends. He nurtured and cherished his family, friends and community each day.

After graduating from Ithaca High School in 1977, Tab spent a year as an exchange student in Bergen, Norway living with a host family and attending Katten high school. He joined the local hockey team and became a top scorer and a bit of a local legend as one of the ice warriors of Djery during their 1977-78 season.

Tab returned to spend a year at the University of Rhode Island, and then transferred to St. Olaf College (Northfield, Minnesota), where he received a B.A. in Economics and Norwegian in 1982. He later received an M.B.A. in Operations & Finance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY).

Professionally, Tab was a highly regarded, visionary leader with a nearly 30-year record of work in the non-profit world. He had an exceptional talent for turning business challenges into new opportunities and a particular interest in technology-based economic development and supporting local manufacturers.

Tab worked on both the public and private side of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program run out of the US Department of Commerce. He was considered a thoughtful and gentle powerhouse and talented leader who initiated and developed many of MEP’s foundational efforts.

He helped to start both the New York and Connecticut MEP Centers and then served as the Director in Connecticut before moving out to Seattle in 1999. In Seattle, he worked as Director of Operations and Director of Regional and Technical Services at the Washington Technology Center, before joining the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2005 as the Northwestern Regional Manager for several MEP Centers.

During his 13 years with NIST, he provided coaching and support services to a national network of 51 nonprofit consulting groups focused on growing U.S. manufacturing. Tab was the thought leader behind the successful Emerging Leaders (EL) Program, now in its 11th year.

Last November, he was excited to take on a new role as the President and Center Director for Impact Washington, the Washington state MEP partner.

Tab’s affinity for travel and love of the outdoors lead him to many adventures throughout the US and around the globe. He was a highly valued and respected 19-year member of The Mountaineers, serving as Board President from 2010-2012 and in other leadership positions including as an instructor and activity leader for more than 72 climbing, backcountry skiing, or scramble trips. He helped countless fellow Mountaineers test skills and find happiness in the outdoors he loved so much.

He also served on the Boards of numerous other organizations for which he cared passionately, including the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC).

In 2015, Tab received the distinguished Mountaineers Service Award, presented to the one volunteer in the 13,000 member organization who has contributed to the mission in a way that exceeds all expectations.

Throughout his climbing career, Tab’s adventurous spirit led him to successfully summit three of the Seven Summits: Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro, Russia’s Mount Elbrus, and Australia’s Mount Kosciuszko — the highest mountains on each continent.

From the boardroom to the mountain, Tab exemplified leadership, vision, and inspiration. His generous spirit, kindness of heart, support of others, and passion left a lifelong impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Admired as a teacher, mentor, and colleague; loved as a son, brother, husband, uncle, step-father, and friend. He explained his deep commitment to his family, friends, and the entire Mountaineering community in this way: “At some point you must live the commitment you want others to make. When I give, I want it to be significant and to have a lasting impact.”

Tab’s legacy, memory, and spirit will live on in everything and everyone he touched.

Tab is preceded in death by his father, Bruce Tabor Wilkins, Senior. He is survived by his wife Anita—his beloved partner in life and adventure—and her children (Matthew and Margo Cech), his mother Sandra Wilkins, brother Greg Wilkins (Marcy), sister Sheryl Wilkins Pardo (Jaime), nephews and niece (Andrew, Christopher, and Nicholas Wilkins; Sebastian and Amanda Pardo), extended family, and countless friends.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sunday, May 19, 1-4 pm at The Mountaineers program center (Goodman Auditorium) in Seattle, WA (7700 Sand Point Way NE).

In honor of Tab’s passion for experiencing and preserving the outdoors, donations may be made in his name to The Mountaineers (https://www.mountaineers.org/donate) or to NWAC (https://support.nwac.us/donate/).