G. Robert Wilkinson

G. Robert “Bob” Wilkinson, age 81, 778 Hillside Terrace, Ripon, died April 8, 2002, at the Markesan Resident Home.
Bob was born January 14, 1921, in Jamaica, Long Island, NY. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Bob served in combat on board the battleship USS Massachusetts during WWII and participated in the invasion at Casablanca. He was called back to active duty during the Korean Conflict and served aboard the destroyer USS Herbert J. Thomas in Korean waters.
While stationed at the submarine base in New London, Connecticut he met Mary Alice Klites, who was also on duty with the Navy. They were married on May 12, 1945.
Bob worked in the soft drink industry beginning his career as a route salesman and manager. Later, he was employed by the national 7-Up Company and served as a district manager throughout Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia. In 1969 he accepted a position as Vice President in Charge of Marketing for the Minneapolis 7-Up Company. For several years, Bob was the general manager for 7-Up Bottling Company in Eau Claire, WI.
Throughout his life, Bob was an active member of several fraternal and civic organizations. He belonged to the George B. Wheeler Free and Accepted Mason’s Lodge and was a past president of the Mehara Shrine Club of Eau Claire. Bob was a charter member of the Mehara “Sawdusters” Clown unit. While living in Eau Claire, he served as District Chairman for the Boy Scouts of America and local chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. He was a member of the Ripon Noon Kiwanis Club, and initiated Ripon’s participation in bell ringing for the Salvation Army during the Holidays.
Bob was a member of Immanuel United Methodist Church. He enjoyed visiting with the elderly and shut-ins, square dancing, clowning, and especially, watching, his grandsons’ theatrical performances or sporting events. Bob never met a stranger and always showed great enthusiasm for life’s opportunities and challenges.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Mary Alice Klites Wilkinson; two daughter, Judith W. (William) Neill and Debra W. (Tom) Konecny, both of Ripon; and grandsons, Robert and Joshua Neill of New York City, and Daniel and Benjamin Konecny of Ripon.
A memorial service will be held on April 22nd at 4 p.m. at Immanuel United Methodist Church, Ripon, with Rev. David A. Busker and Rev. Neil Wilson officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 3 p.m. until the time of the service. Inurnment will be in Garden of the Cross, Ripon. A memorial is being established for the American Diabetes Association.
Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, Ripon is assisting the family.
www.butzinmarchant.com