- Date Of Birth: December 2, 1931
- Date Of Death: March 25, 2016
- State: Maryland
Bob Willats, 84, of Glen Burnie, passed away on March 25, 2016. Bob was born on December 2, 1931 in Emerson, Nebraska, the son of John and Lottie Willats. He grew up a country boy in Plainview, Nebraska, working on farms and cars. Bob graduated high school in 1949, worked for a time as an automobile mechanic and was drafted into the US Army just in time for the end of the Korean War. Demonstrating a knack for good timing, his troop ship docked the day the armistice was signed, and he spent most of his time in Korea working on jeeps and trucks, and patrolling the Korean countryside.
After returning from Korea, Bob married Kathryn Johnson on May 22, 1955, a union which resulted in two sons, Thomas and Jeffrey. Disregarding his father’s good advice, Bob quit a good job as an auto parts salesman in Norfolk, Nebraska to attend Iowa State University, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1960. He worked at Westinghouse as an engineer for seven years before taking a position with the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), where he spent nearly 30 years working as an electronics engineer and engineering manager. Bob retired from IIT in 1995 and enjoyed retirement for 20 years. Bob seemed even more active in retirement than during his working career. He served on the board of the Pasadena United Methodist Church, walked several days a week, and took great delight in the treasures he found at flea markets and yard sales all around Glen Burnie, Severna Park and Millersville. He was devoted to his wife, their two sons and their families. Bob was a wonderful husband, an excellent and caring father, and an all-around good guy. He leaves a legacy of love and service and is remembered fondly by his family and friends.
Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kathryn, two sons, Tom and Jeff, their wives, Eva and Kristie, grandchildren Lauren, Steven, and Megan Willats, Christine Stein, and Angela Yenca.
