Robert (Bob) Frederick Wilks of Seaford passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023 at Acts Manor House in Seaford. Born on Sept. 1, 1933 in Baltimore, Md., he was the son of the late Herman Winnefred and Augusta Katherine Graefe Wilks.
Having graduated from Glen Burnie High School in June 1951 and taken mechanical draftsman courses, “Bob,” as he was best known earned a job with Westinghouse. From 1955 through 1957, he served his country in the United States Army, where he continued as a mechanical draftsman in the G3 section Wacom at Kaiserlautern, Germany. After his military discharge, he returned to Westinghouse for a period of time. Later he joined the State Farm Insurance Company as a licensed agent in Glen Burnie, Md. for 36 years; he retired in August 1998.
Active in community organizations, Bob was elected the first male president of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Glen Burnie, Parents Teachers League; elected President of the Anne Arundel County Life Underwriters; Chairman of St. Paul’s Board of Education and was Head Usher at St. Paul’s. He was on the Board of Directors of the Glen Burnie Salvation Army and Chairman of their Christmas Bucket Campaign. Bob was Co-Chairman of the Life Underwriters Charity Golf Tournament; Treasurer of Glen Burnie Alumni Association; Co-Chairman of the Christmas party for Belle Mach; a 30 year member of Bay Hills Golf Club and a six year member of Walden Golf Club; and Chairman of the Walden Senior Association.
Mr. Wilks is survived by his beloved wife, the former Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Wendt, whom he married in March 1959; two sons, Jeff Wilks and his wife Crystal and Doug Wilks; five grandchildren, Holly Colby, Heather Grim, Travis Wilks, Zach Wilks, and Chelsea (Wilks) Escamilla; seven great-grandchildren, Skylar and Thomas Grim, Autumn Colby, Rylei, Ellie, Chloe and Colton Wilks.
Funeral services were held at Christ Lutheran Church, 315 N. Shipley Street, Seaford on Wednesday, Oct. 4; a viewing was held at the church. Interment was held privately at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Wilks honor to Christ Lutheran Church, 315 N. Shipley Street, Seaford, Delaware 19973. The Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home, 700 West Street, Laurel, is serving the Wilks family.