Robert A. "Bob" Wilkens, age 87, of Madison and formerly of Huron, died Sunday, July 17, 2016, at his home. His memorial service was held at 11 am, Thursday, July 21st, at First United Methodist Church in Huron, with military rites by the Huron Veterans Council. Private burial was in Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church of Huron Foundation, the Huron Regional Medical Center Foundation, the Sioux Council of Boy Scouts of America, and the Yelduz Shrine Transportation Fund.
Robert A. Wilkens was born January 3, 1929, in Esmond to William J. and Hazel C. (Girch) Wilkens. He attended school in Brookings, graduating from Brookings High School in 1947. Bob earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from South Dakota State University in 1951. After his college years in ROTC, he served two years in the US Air Force, and was discharged as a captain in 1953.
Bob married Barbara Davis at Oldham on April 15, 1952.
Bob accepted a position as a dispatcher and engineer with Northwestern Public Service Company following his service in the Air Force, which was the beginning of a life-long career with the company. He served as division engineer and division manager, vice president of operations, and ultimately as chairman of the board and president and chief executive officer of the company. In addition to serving on the board of directors for NWPS, he had also served on the board of First United Methodist Church Foundation and was a past director emeritus at Farmers & Merchants Bank of Huron.
Bob was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Huron and was presently a member of the United Methodist Church in Madison. He was a member of the Maplewood Men, a singing group, since moving to Madison. He also volunteered his time in numerous civic and social organizations. A member of the Huron Masonic Lodge, Yelduz Shrine and affiliated Masonic bodies, he was a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge and a past president of the James Valley Shrine Club. He had also served as president of the Huron Area Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club.
His parents preceded him in death.
Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara of Madison; four children, Brad (Gail) Wilkens of Madison, Beth (John) Wiersma of Kearney, NE, Bonnie (Marty) Krause of Minneapolis, MN and William (Sharon) Wilkens of Stanley, NC; five grandchildren, Jody (Charles) Bjornebo, Kelly Wilkens (Zac Leitheiser), Samuel (Stacia) Wilkens, Peyton Krause and Sara Wilkens; two great-grandchildren, Ethan and Aiden Bjornebo; and a sister, Evelyn Hodgson of Sioux Falls.