Robert E Wilkins

WILKINS, Robert E. Of Kalamazoo Bob, as he was known to all his friends, peacefully passed away on November 14th, 2006, to be with his beloved wife, Florence ?Flo?. His loving family was at his side. He was born on January 13th, 1924 in Ionia, MI to Vern and Grace Roman Wilkins. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High school and attended Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. He proudly served in the US Army with the 84th Infantry Division during WWII. After the war he worked for the Wilkins and Wheaton Engineering Company in Kalamazoo from 1946 to 1991. He had a great love for music, especially that of the Big Bands. He played trumpet while serving in the Army and later in Kalamazoo for the Bobby Davidson Band and then with the Larry Rolfe Band and also with the Kalamazoo Concert Band. He was a member of the AFM local union #228. His enthusiasm for music was passed down to his children. He was an avid golfer and bowler and he and Flo competed in many leagues together. He taught Flo and both his children to play golf. He married Florence E. Williamson on August 23rd, 1946. He and Flo were married 60 years before her death in August 2006. He is survived by his two children, Gary L. Marcia Wilkins, and Gayle Kencil Heaton. There are three grandchildren, Angela M Wilkins, Robert J Wilkins, and Stephanie D Heaton along with 1 great-granddaughter, Allison East. Bob had two sisters and one brother, Marian Martin, Maxine Harding, and Emery Wilkins, all of whom preceded him in death. A visitation with the family will be held on Friday, Nov 17th from 5-8 PM at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 Burdick St in Kalamazoo. A Memorial Service will also be held at Langeland?s on Saturday, November 18th at 1 PM. The family kindly requests that any donations be sent to the Rose Arbor Hospice Residence of Kalamazoo.