Robert E. Wilkinson, Class of 1956

Robert E. Wilkinson ’56 died on Feb. 19, 2019. He was born March 6, 1934 in Altoona, PA to the late Marcella and Earl Wilkinson. He graduated from Oliver High School in Pittsburgh, PA and Otterbein University in 1956 with a degree in Business Administration. During his time at Otterbein, Robert was a member of Zeta Phi fraternity. He also met his wife, and fellow Otterbein alumna, Annbeth Sommers Wilkinson ’56 during his freshman year and they married in 1955 in Ottawa, OH.

Robert joined Equitable Life upon graduation and retired in 1990 after 35 years of service. He made many corporate moves during his career, most notably NYC and Atlanta. At the time of his retirement he was President and CEO of Equitable Agri-Business, a subsidiary of Equitable Life. Robert and his family established the Robert; Annbeth S. Wilkinson Scholarship for Otterbein students pursuing their educational dreams.

Robert was preceded in death by grandson, Bradley Scott Wilkinson. He is survived by his wife, Annbeth; children, Mark (Laura), Scott (Eileen), and Lynn Smiroldo (Victor); grandchildren, Stephanie (Chris) Aylward, Chelsea (Aaron) Wilkowitz, Mark Wilkinson, Jr.;
Tara Wilkinson and a great-granddaughter, Charlotte Grace Aylward. Other survivors include his sister, Elaine Cook (Chris), sister-in-law, Lu Rosebrook, cousins, Irene and Earl Gunsallus and many loving nieces and nephews.