Robert Wicks

Robert (Bob) Burton Wicks, 93 formerly of Carlisle, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sunday January 17, 2021. Robert was preceded in death by his parents Clifford and Alice Wicks of Elmira Heights, New York, his brothers Lawrence Wicks, Charles Wicks. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Lucy Jane Wicks of Carlisle and formerly of Mount Holly Springs and Mechanicsburg PA., their three children Audrey J. Wicks of Boiling Springs PA., Jill E. Baun of Carlisle, and Geoffrey B. and (Angie) Wicks of Summerfield, Florida. He had 10 grandchildren: Trevor (Wicks) Zizzi, Joshua Wicks, Leah Wicks, Noah Wicks, Olivia Wicks, Tasha Wicks-Forman, Lily Wicks-Forman and Dane Wicks-Forman, Colton Baun and Brandon Baun, three step grandchildren Kellie Sahutsky, Tiffany Sahutsky, and Nikki Sahutsky, eight nieces and nephews, a sister-in-law Joyce Wicks and his beloved dog Bree.

Bob Wicks was born in Binghamton New York in 1927. He graduated from Thomas Edison High School, in Elmira Heights in 1944.  In his senior year of high school he joined the U.S. Navy where he proudly served as a Medic in World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a graduate of Muskingum College with a Bachelor’s degree and later in life from Pennsylvania State University with a M.Ed. in art education.  He spent decades teaching art in elementary, secondary and graduate school.  Bob was forever a Boy Scout and was extremely involved in Scouting in the Saratoga Springs region of New York. He was known as an avid birdwatcher and could name them by their call. His love and understanding of nature and of people are what drove him in all things. Bob’s passion for service to others, and commitment to self-improvement through lifelong learning were a driving force in his life. He was a Professor of Art at Harrisburg Area Community College for twenty years. In 1992, he retired and achieved Professor Emeritus status. His love of his students, wisdom and guidance to them led to life-long relationships. He was a member of the Mechanicsburg and Carlisle Rotary Clubs where he was actively involved as a member of the Rotary International Student Exchange Program and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a life-long ham radio operator; a hobby which facilitated the development of relationships with other operators across the world. He was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (C.A.S.A.) volunteer and a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church.

No relationship or commitment was more important to Bob than his marriage to his beloved wife Lucy Wicks of 66 years and his family. Bob loved sailing his boat at their second home on Rehoboth Bay, Delaware where his passion for sailing was shared with friends and family.  Robert’s children and grandchildren will cherish memories of him teaching them to create ocarinas, throwing or making pinch pots, playing the dulcimer and harmonica, learning about nature; every moment with him was a teachable moment. He loved camping, nature, music, and maintaining ties with former students.

The family asks that donations be made in Bob’s memory to Cumberland County Court Appointed Special Advocates (C.A.S.A.) at 1 Courthouse Square # 301 Carlisle PA. 17013 or Homeland Hospice at 2300 Vartan Way Suite 270 Harrisburg PA. 17110. The family will hold a private memorial service and celebrate his life at a later date.