Robert E. "Bob" Wilson

Bob died suddenly and unexpectedly of natural causes at home in Arvada. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, to Harold and Betty June Wilson, he graduated from Omaha Technical High School and then went on to study electrical engineering. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska, master’s degrees from the Universities of Arizona and Idaho, and the Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Idaho. Bob retired as an energy systems engineer from Western Area Power Administration, U.S. Department of Energy. During his career he also held a visiting faculty position at the University of Wyoming. He was a life senior member of his professional association, IEEE, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Bob was known in Arvada and the metro area as a tireless, passionate transit advocate. He served from its beginning on the City of Arvada Gold Line Advisory Committee and was proud to ride on the first run of the G Line commuter rail train last spring. As a member of RTD’s FasTracks Sustainability Committee, he pushed for planning ahead for electric vehicle charging stations in parking garages. In his own quiet way, Bob was a persistent community activist, serving on several committees, including the City of Arvada Citizens’ Capital Improvement Project committee and the Arvada Fire Protection District Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel. A member of the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Citizens Advisory committee, he was honored with its Distinguished Service Award. He was a staunch supporter of progressive causes and candidates in Arvada, Jeffco, and the region. Among his many volunteer activities, Bob was a dedicated member and past president of the Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis. Two Kiwanis projects that were particularly meaningful to him were building the observatory at the Jeffco schools Windy Peak Outdoor Lab and refurbishing the black box theater at Arvada High School. Bob’s inquisitive mind led to wide-ranging interests: travel, railroad history and model trains, science, astronomy, music, hiking and jeeping in the Colorado mountains. He loved all things trains. Train travel was always included in Bob and Susan’s vacations in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the U.S. He studied railroad history in the West and searched for old railroad grades as he explored the mountains. He expanded his childhood American Flyer model train into an extensive collection. As an engineer, he especially enjoyed making the working accessories work. Bob was a member of the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club and the Intermountain Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. A beloved family man, Bob is survived by his wife Susan of Arvada; son Jeremy (Stacy) of Colorado Springs; three much-adored grandsons, Jacob, Nate, and Sam; and brother Jim of Houston. Bob’s educational pursuits and career led Bob and Susan to live in many wonderful places in the West, with cherished friendships made along the way: Fort Collins and Montrose, Colorado; Flagstaff, Arizona; Moscow, Idaho; Laramie, Wyoming; and finally landing in Arvada more than 20 years ago. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 2, at 11:00 am, at Jefferson Unitarian Church, 14350 W. 32nd Ave.