TARPON SPRINGS, FL — Robert W. “Bob” Wilson rejoined the cosmos on September 19, 2024, in Tarpon Springs, Fla.
Born in Green Island, N.Y., he was the son of the late William J. and Margaret A Wilson.
He is survived by his loving wife, Dolores A. Wilson (Kirchert); three children, Kirk, Kathy Powers and Karen McBride; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He attended St. Joseph’s Parochial School, La Salle Institute, and graduated from St. Michael’s College, where he served in the USAF ROTC. Immediately after graduation, he was assigned to USAF pilot training, receiving his wings at Vance AFB. He then was assigned to the Research and Development Command at Eglin AFB, Fla. There, he served as R/D Project Manger/Pilot Officer on a number of advanced aircraft armament programs, including the F-104/Gatling gun and Sidewinder integration.
After leaving the Air Force, he joined AVCO Corporation, in Wilmington, Mass., where he was assigned as Flight Test Project Engineer for the Ballistic Missile Reentry Vehicle and Manned Space Programs. Over the years, he was promoted to increasing levels of responsibility. He was nominated by AVCO and selected by MIT for the Sloan Fellows Program, receiving the degree of Masters in Management; and became V.P. for Tactical Systems, developing smart weapons for the DOD. He was awarded the ADPA Fire Power Award.
He joined Honeywell Electo-Optical Systems, where he led teams of scientist and engineers developing night vision and derivative weapons systems. The teams developed night vision equipment for the U.S. Army and foreign governments.
Rejoining AVCO, at the AVCO Research Laboratory, he led the establishment of the Advanced Systems and Technology Business line. He later served as V.P. and Assistant General Manager of the AVCO/Textron Systems Division, as Manager of the Tactical Systems Business line, developing smart weapons. This activity grew into a multi-billion dollar entity.
Upon retirement, he formed and managed Technology Applications Partners, a consulting firm dedicated to transferring tech from universities to private industry. Products were developed for NASA and DOD. He was listed in Who’s Who in America.
In the city of Tarpon Springs, he served on various boards, and enjoyed boating on the Gulf of Mexico, as well as his membership in Rotary International, serving as club President in 2002.
He was buried at sea in the Gulf of Mexico.
His favorite salutation was “Live Long ‘n Prosper!”
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