Robert M. Wilson
BG (Ret) General Robert M. Wilson died on December 21st, 2020 at Patriots Colony, Williamsburg Va. Robert Maris Wilson was born on July 22, 1928 in Evanston, Illinois, the son of Leroy C. and Dorothy R. Wilson. He graduated from West Point in 1950 and was commissioned as an officer into the Army Corps of Engineers.
As an Army Corps of Engineers Officer, General Wilson, has served in various command, staff, and leadership positions including the Engineer OCS, Louisville Engineer District, a tour of Korea, Assistant Executive and Aide to the Chief of Engineers.
Two tours in Germany, during the second of which he Commanded the 79th Engineer Battalion. A tour in Vietnam during which he was assigned to the Operational Plans Branch, J-3. After Vietnam he was assigned to the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs at The Pentagon. He was stationed at West Point twice, first as Associate Professor for Solid Mechanics, and then later as Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
General Wilson earned his master’s degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a second master’s degree from Shippensburg University, and his PhD from Lehigh University.
During 1979-80, on sabbatical leave from West Point, General Wilson, served as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Engineer in Headquarters, US Army, Europe.
At the end of December 1983, General Wilson retired from the Army. On his retirement, after more than 33 years of active service, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and promoted to Brigadier General. Over the course of his distinguished service he was awarded the following Decorations and Commendations: Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), National Service Defense Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Medal First Class, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Badge with Palm, and two Overseas Service Badges.
For several years after leaving the Army, General Wilson, worked as the Chief Engineer of R. J. Moore and Associates, Inc., a building inspection firm based in Annapolis, MD.
General Wilson is survived by his wife of 63 years, Winnifred (Peggy) Engeman Wilson, and sons Roderick, Frederick, Edward, their spouses Karen, JoAnne, and Deittra (respectively), six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Burial will be at West Point, New York, at a later date.