Robert W. Wilson ’56
Robert W. Wilson, Tarpon Springs, FL, died September 19, 2024.
Born in Green Island, NY, Bob attended St. Joseph’s Parochial School and La Salle Institute in Troy, NY, before his undergraduate studies at Saint Michael’s, where he served in the Air Force ROTC.
Immediately after graduation, he was assigned to Air Force pilot training, receiving his wings at Vance AFB Air Force Base. He then was assigned to the Research and Development Command at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. There, he served as Research & Development Project Manager/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, MA, where he was assigned as flight test project engineer for the Ballistic Missile Reentry Vehicle and Manned Space Programs. He completed a physics master’s in 1964 at Boston University and another master’s in management from MIT in 1972.
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 Master in Management, and became vice president for tactical systems, developing smart weapons for the Defense Department. He was awarded the ADPA Fire Power Award.
He joined Honeywell Electo-Optical Systems, where he led teams of scientists and engineers developing night vision and derivative weapons systems. The teams developed night vision equipment for the 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 vice president 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 the Defense Department. 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 a President’s Medallion supporter of the College, including particular generous support for the College’s Military Heritage Program.
He was buried at sea in the Gulf of Mexico. His favorite salutation was “Live Long ‘n Prosper!”
He is survived by his wife, Dolores (Kirchert), a son, two daughters and extended family.