Robert I. Wilcox

BARRE TOWN – Robert I. Wilcox, 84, of Birchwood East, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2016 at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin. His loving family had been at his bedside.
Born on November 6, 1931 in the Gifford Hospital in Randolph, he was the younger of two sons of Richard and Ila (Abbott) Wilcox. His parents were hard working and dedicated farmers from Brookfield.
Bob attended the Boyce one-room school, and graduated from Williamstown High School in 1949. After high school he attended New England Technical Institute with his brother, Gordon, as a refrigeration technician, training that served them both well in their adult years.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in October of 1950, serving in Texas, Colorado and West Germany for 45 months before being honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant.
Following his military service Bob worked as a maintenance man for the White Brothers Milk Co., and Plant Supervisor for the Vermont State Buildings Division in Montpelier, before being employed by Vermont State Colleges. He worked twelve years as Plant Supervisor at Vermont Technical College (VTC), and from 1979-1993 at the Vermont State Colleges as Facility Director for the Office of the Chancellor. Upon retirement a building on the VTC campus was named after him.
Bob was married while serving in the Air Force in Germany to Magdalena Mende, who was an East German refugee. To this union was born three children, Connie, Richard and Christine. Magdalena died in January 1969. He was married to Janet Monty from 1970-1980 with his son Robert being born in 1971.
In 1988 he married Joyce Rock Moffatt in Barre, VT. After his retirement they spent many years in their motorhome touring the United States, spending winters in Florida and other warm climates. In 2014, they sold their motorhome because of Bob’s declining health and enjoyed their home in Barre Town.
He was an avid deer and rabbit hunter, and enjoyed boating, camping, and snowmobiling.
Bob was a faithful member and Past Master of Pulaski Lodge #58, F&AM, Wells River, VT. He was also a member of the NRA, the Plymouth Club International Antique Car Club, the Family Motor Coach Club Association, and the National Camping Travelers Club.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce, four children; Constance and her partner, John, Richard and his wife, Sarah, Christine and her husband, Christopher, and Robert and his wife, Stacey. He also leaves his brother Gordon and his wife, Ann, and two stepsons; Michael Moffatt and his wife, Laurel, and Mark Moffatt and his partner, Joan as well as ten grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A service and celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Friday May 27, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at his home at 17 Birchwood East in Barre Town. A later interment of Robert’s ashes will be made in the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center at a time to be determined by the family.
Memorial contributions in Bob’s name may be made to the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, VABVI Development Office, 60 Kimball Avenue, South Burlington, VT 05403.