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Robert S. Wickens, of Rancho Mirage, CA died October 10, 2008 at the age of 90. Born the eldest child of three children to Charles K. Wickens and Sylvia (Lonergan) Wickens on January 6, 1918 in Luddington, MI. Bob's dad was in the lumber business, and the family moved to Weed, CA and then Williams, AZ, before settling in Albuquerque, NM, when Bob was 12. Bob lived in Albuquerque the remainder of his adult life until 2006, when he and Mary Ann Franey Wickens, his wife of 60 years, moved to the Mirage Inn, an independent living resort in Rancho Mirage, CA, where they could be close to their daughter, Mary Lou Green and her husband Dennis. Bob was a highly decorated veteran of WWII. He enlisted in the U.S. Air force in 1942 and survived thirty B-24 air missions in the European Theater. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (with three oak leaf clusters) and the Air Medal, given for acts of heroism and meritorious service. After the war Bob found work with the Railway Post office, riding the mail trains delivering mail throughout the Southwest. Following a time in private enterprise, he returned to the U.S. Post Office where he worked until his retirement after 30 years of service. Bob was appreciated for his devotion to his church, acting as a Deacon at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in Albuquerque. He was a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. The Archbishop of Santa Fe commended Bob and Mary Ann for 20 years of volunteer service to the elderly at The Albuquerque Manor and taking communion to the ill at Anna Kaseman Hospital. Bob was well known among his many friends for his love of life and his passion for fishing. His smile was legendary both on and off the stream. Surviving are his wife, Mary Ann; daughter Mary Lou Green and son-in-law Dennis Green of La Quinta, CA; grandson Dennis Green, Jr., wife, Kathleen and great-granddaughter, Sheridan Rose Green of Seattle, WA; brother Dick Wickens and wife Dorothy and their eight children; and 17 grandchildren of Albuquerque, NM. Bob's younger sister, Corrine Wickens Shoemaker, passed away last year and is sorely missed; she is survived by her sons Ken Shoemaker and Jerry Shoemaker of Albuquerque. The Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary to be held at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at French Mortuary, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. N.E. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday October 16, 2008 at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, 811 Guaymas Place, N.E. Albuquerque, NM 87108. Friends may visit on Wednesday, October 15, 2008, prior to the Rosary from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Memorials in the name of Robert Wickens ("Mr. Countdown") may be made to Our Lady of Assumption Catholic School, where Bob volunteered for many years raising funds for the school. French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400 www.frenchmortuary.com
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