Robert Wilcox Obituary

Wilcox, Robert Byers died March 5th, aged 87, greatly beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He is survived by his wife, Susanne Bush Wilcox, children Robert B. Wilcox, Jr. (married to Barbara Hermansen), Steven W. Wilcox (Kathleen), Katherine W. Lambert (Ian), David W. Wilcox (Melynda) and Brian W. Wilcox (Amy), his grandchildren Elisabeth Lambert Thompson (John Neil), William W. Lambert, Benjamin B. H. Wilcox, James R. Wilcox, Katharine H. Wilcox, Samuel J. Wilcox, Amanda F. Wilcox and Laura F. Wilcox, sisters Ann Jones and Lee Kneerim, and several nieces and nephews. He was born to Edward Byers and Mary Amanda (née Gore) Wilcox in Chicago in 1922, and raised in Winnetka, where he attended North Shore Country Day School, before going on to Harvard College, where he graduated in the class of 1944, AB cum laude. After military service he attended the University of Michigan Law School, Juris Doctor, 1949. During the War he served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific and was awarded the Order of the Purple Heart. He married the former Laura Janet Winston in 1944; they lived in Winnetka and raised five children. Laura succumbed to cancer in 1995. In July 2006 he married a long-time and cherished family friend, Susanne Bush, much to the delight of his children, grandchildren and close friends. He had a distinguished career as a lawyer and public servant. He committed himself to a wide range of voluntary civic engagements. In retirement he helped found two groups that continue to pursue issues of great importance to him. In 1993 he became the Founding Chairman of the Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest and he was also a Cofounder, Director and Officer of Protestants for the Common Good, from 1995 until his death. In recognition of "the life and work of this extraordinary public servant," Protestants for the Common Good will honor Robert B. Wilcox posthumously with the William Sloane Coffin Award for Peace and Justice on April 18, 2010. Those interested in attending the award dinner may register at the PCG website. Funeral arrangements are being made by the William H. Scott Funeral Home, Wilmette. A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, Winnetka, Illinois, on Saturday, March 13 at 3 o'clock, followed by a reception at the church. Interment of his ashes will be private. His family requests that anyone wishing to make a memorial gift consider doing so, in lieu of flowers, to either of the two organizations that he helped found: Protestants for the Common Good, at 312-223-9544 or www.thecommongood.org or The Environmental Law and Policy Center, at 312-673-6500 or elpc.org