Robert (Bob) A. Wilson

Robert (Bob) A. Wilson of Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away on February 21, 2020, at age 94. A memorial service to celebrate his life is planned for Saturday, August 28, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Bob was born in Oakland, California, on January 16, 1926, to Richard Axel Wilson and Ruth Hazel (Waggener) Wilson. He grew up in Petaluma, Berkeley, and Stockton, California.

At age three, Bob accompanied his parents to Pinecrest in the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains. It became their retreat and served as the setting for Bob’s introduction to sailing and skiing, sports he participated in his entire life.

When he finished high school in 1944, Bob joined the U.S. Army Air Forces and served as drill instructor, mechanic, and crash truck driver, but never realized his dream to become an aviator. He received an honorable discharge in 1945.

After the war, Bob returned to Stockton to finish college, and graduated with honors from the College of the Pacific in Stockton, California, in 1950. He completed his Art and Design degree at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, in 1952.

Bob married Mary Jean Gallagher in 1950, and they raised two daughters, Nancy and Abby. The family joined Balboa Yacht Club in Newport Beach, California, and participated in all the sailing and socializing it offered.

Early in his career, Bob held positions with the California architectural/design firms of Pereira & Luckman; and Leach, Cleveland & Associates before starting his design and consulting firm in 1959.

Bob’s talent in industrial design, graphic design, and commercial and residential interiors led to many notable projects, including Burke Rubber Company, Carl’s Jr., and the Queen Mary.

An opportunity to work on the Heritage Mountain ski resort in Provo, Utah, led to his move to Salt Lake City in 1979. While scouting for talent for the project, he met Jinny Snow. The ski resort failed to open, but Bob and Jinny established Wilson + Snow Design. The two married in 1980.
Bob continued working as a design consultant in the Salt Lake area until retiring. Utah was the perfect setting for Bob to enjoy his favorite pastimes, including alpine and Nordic skiing, sailing, rowing, and biking, which he enjoyed well into his 80’s.

Volunteer work at the National Ability Center at Park City, the VA Medical Center, Salt Lake Trolley Tours, and the 2002 Winter Olympics rounded out his retirement years.

The family would like to express our deepest thanks for the exceptional care given by Solstice Hospice of Salt Lake City.

If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to The National Ability Center, Park City, Utah.
To view the zoomed services, please click on the link below, but a zoom account is required to view.
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/sd4iO99WzR_BtGXbdI9wXv4ysSZGZgCnZk_HzzHBuwVHDvFJjghxtNn0GZrID1VB.rLddkEINEpP-4-TG