Robert Francis Wilson's Obituary
Robert “Bob" Francis Wilson, age 96, of Rehoboth Beach, DE passed away at home after a short battle with cancer on Friday, June 16, 2023, in Rehoboth Beach, DE. He was born on June 18, 1926, in Brooklyn, NY, son of the late Earl G. and Mary C. (Farmer) Wilson.
A member of the Greatest Generation, he served in the US Air Force during World War ll and was stationed in Newfoundland, Canada where he served as a navigator on C-3 cargo planes. Being a lover of Big Band music, he also played drums for the base’s Officer’s Band while in the service.
After the end of the war, Bob married the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Nedra Ann Rantsch on June 19, 1948, at the Lutheran Church at the corner of Spooner Street and Plainfield Avenue in Floral Park, Long Island, NY. The two would spend the next 75 years together creating wonderful memories.
Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Bob obtained a BS in Business Administration from the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Denver, class of 1950, attending college while married and becoming a father to Susan Ann.
After returning to NY and welcoming son Robert Charles, Bob started his food services operations career in 1951 when he was employed by Abraham and Strauss in Brooklyn, NY. In 1954, he became the Food Services Director at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD (where daughter Nedra Lynn would be born). Bob was later promoted and served in numerous positions at Hopkins, ending up as Administrator of the hospital from 1970 to 1974. In 1974, he went to work for food service company, Servomation Corporation, Inc., ultimately serving as President of the North Atlantic region. Bob retired at age 60 in 1986 after many dedicated years. But he couldn’t turn down one more opportunity to have his talents and his political interests converge: he returned to work in 1989 to1991 as a consultant for the food service facilities at the US House of Representatives in Washington, DC.
Bob discovered sailing in the mid-70s and that led to all kinds of adventures including moving to Annapolis from Baltimore County (he would rather drive an hour to work than an hour to his boat) and owning a series of boats that allowed he and Nedra to orient their social life around sailing and hitting the high seas. A member of the Annapolis Yacht Club, Bob and Nedra sailed the Delaware Bay and the Chesapeake Bay, traveled multiple times to New England including memorable Maine voyages and made an unforgettable trip down the Intercoastal Waterway to the Bahamas. They also enjoyed Caribbean vacations and cruises that allowed them to see the world.
After moving to Long Boat Key, FL where they enjoyed retirement and the vibrant jazz scene there, they returned to the mid-Atlantic, settling first in their Ocean City condo and then in the Rehoboth Beach Yacht and Country Club. He and Nedra made many amazing friends in the community and thrived in the lively social scene and golf culture. Bob was the oldest golfer in the Club playing a couple of times a week up until the end. He reveled in the times he shot a golf score below his age and the one time he got a hole in one. He liked to call this area "the land of pleasant living"!
Bob also had a passion for politics and debating current events with his kids and grandkids. This started when his oldest daughter Susan was about 12 years old and continued through the years. More recently, he debated all three children and grandchildren on weekly Sunday evening Facetime calls which turned into lively and raucous events.
Bob passed away one day before the family's planned party to celebrate the couple’s 75th Anniversary and two days before his 97th birthday. Bob’s presence, sense of humor and zest for life will be deeply missed by all.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 75 years, Nedra Ann Wilson of Rehoboth Beach, DE; his two daughters: Susan A. Wilson of Washington, DC and Nedra Lynn Fekete and her husband Akos of Seattle, WA; his son Robert C. Wilson of Amelia Island, FL; his two granddaughters: Kendall L. Wilson of Atlanta, GA and Kara E. Wilson of New York, NY; his two grandsons: Evan W. Fekete and Spencer P. Fekete both of Seattle, WA; and his nephew Michael S. Wilson of Jacksonville, FL.
A Celebration of Life will be held in late September 2023. Contact [email protected] mailto:[email protected] for details.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Bob's memory to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
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