Obituary of Robert Schafer Wilkie

Robert (Bob) S. Wilkie, 91, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2012 at the Springs of Boca Ciega. He was a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was born on September 30, 1920 in Dearborn, Michigan to Frank and Elva (Schafer) Wilkie. On October 4, 1947 he married Frances (Flynn) Morin and they spent 62 years together. Frances preceded him in death in 2009. Bob helped raise her two children; Robert L. (Larry) Morin, who passed away in November of 2000 and Carol Ann (Morin) Nepper who survives. His only brother George R. Wilkie also preceded him in death. Bob began working at the Ford Allen Co. in 1940 until he joined the Navy in Aug 1942. He served until honorably discharge in December of 1947. While serving at the USNAS in Grosse Ile, Michigan he met Frances. They were married and bought their first home in Dearborn, Michigan. After his retirement from Ford in 1977 they relocated to Gulfport, Florida. For over thirty years he worked at the Ford Motor Co., the majority of time spent working in the tractor division. "Go Blue" was his way of advertising Ford Tractors. Go Blue, Go Ford! He was always know for his hard work and great sense of humor. Bob loved his family, he loved to fish (especially in his boat the "TeJu 2") and he had a passion for PHOTOGRAPHY. Bob and Fran traveled all across the United States, Canada and to Ireland several times. Everywhere he traveled, near or far,he had his trusty camera bag with all the necessary filters, meters, tripods and lenses. He took great pride in developing, enlarging and printing his own pictures. He was a member of the Suncoast Camera Club and entered many of his prints over the years in contests, winning many awards. Thursdays were his camera club days to meet with the "boys" and swap stories, pictures and techniques. Frequent subjects of Bob's unpublished photos were of his family. Gramps rarely said no to any of the kids and when ask to sit for a pose they were quick to show off their smiles. He was proud of all of his kids and their accomplishments. He is survived by 5 grandchildren; Terrance Morin of Orlando, Florida, Judith Flynn of Traverse City, Michigan, Cheryl Morin of Michigan, Richard Nepper of North Carolina and Christopher Nepper of Spartansburg, South Carolina. He is also survived by 5 Great-grandchildren; Jonathan Fewins, Lauren (Phil) Martin, Julia Nepper, Nicholas and James Nepper.