Robert Millett Wilkinson, 86, of Mystic and formerly of Noank, died Wednesday from complications of pneumonia.
Bob was the husband of 64 years to Jeanne Phillips Wilkinson and is also survived by his daughter Sheryl and son-in-law Tom Clukey of New Gloucester, ME, son Alan Wilkinson, daughter-in-law Anne Wilkinson of Noank, and his two grandchildren Benjamin and Sarah Wilkinson of Noank. He was predeceased by his son, Donald “Donzo” Wilkinson.
Bob was the only son of Horace and Catherine (Millett) Wilkinson and grew up in Greenwich, CT. He graduated from Webb Institute and five days later, married Jeanne in Glen Cove, NY. He began his career as a naval architect at Island Dock in Kingston, NY designing tugboats, barges, and ferries, and landing craft. Ten years later, he and his family moved to Connecticut for Bob to work at Electric Boat in Groton where he retired after 27 years. Bob helped to design many submarines and was the Non Nuclear Project Engineer for NR-1, the first deep nuclear powered submersible vessel.
In retirement, Bob formed R.M. Wilkinson Naval Architects and was actively involved in designing a variety of boats including several that were built by Westmac Custom Boats in Surrey, ME.
Bob had a passion for boats of any type or size and enjoyed ‘simply messing around in boats’. He was an avid sailor and enjoyed summer cruises with his family aboard their family sailboats. He was a member of Indian Harbor Yacht Club, Shennecossett Yacht Club, and was an honorary member of the Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association. He thoroughly enjoyed cruises with Jeanne aboard the Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mary II. He also enjoyed fishing and gardening, and was a master woodworker.
He was a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers for 51 years, Mystic Seaport for 45 years, and the Noank Historical Society.
There will be no formal service but a reception will be held at 2pm in the Fireside room at StoneRidge, Mystic, CT on Saturday, February 13th.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association - Dillon Fund, P.O. Box 117, West Mystic, CT 06388 to help young sailors compete in national sailing events or to Webb Institute, 298 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove, NY 11542.
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