SOUTHBURY - Robert Downs Wilson of Southbury died peacefully Wednesday, November 12, 2014. He was the husband for 58 years of the late Elizabeth (Cappers) Wilson.
Mr. Wilson was born October 15, 1928, in San Diego, Calif., the son of Capt. Henry E. Wilson of Ipswich, Mass., and Marie (Downs) Wilson of Palo Alto, Calif. As the child of a naval engineer, Robert grew up in the Samoan Islands and Honolulu, Hawaii, before moving to Norfolk, Portsmouth, Boston, and then back to San Francisco for high school. A proud graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy '52, he rowed for the Naval Academy throughout his undergraduate years, including the national championship team his senior year.
He served as a gunnery officer (LTJG) on the USS Hyman following his graduation from the Naval Academy. Following his Naval duty, he enjoyed a long career with the Torrington Company and Kaman Bearings as a sales engineer, where he managed the Midwest and later the New York office.
Robert was the chairman of the Society of Automotive Engineers for the Twin Cities and was admired for his witty speeches and dedication to his profession. During retirement, he and his wife had many wonderful years in Medway, Mass., and South Truro, Mass.
Robert was a gentle, generous person, and a problem-solver who used diplomacy and humor in any situation that needed it.
He will be sorely missed by all who knew him for his sense of humor, graciousness, love of nature and his distinctive profile with pipe planted firmly in his mouth. He was a true gentleman.
He leaves his children, Laure Neish of Penticton, British Columbia, and her husband, Dr. Gordon Neish, Kate Wilson Peterson of Woodbury and Robert D. Wilson, Jr., of Bernardsville, N.J., and his wife, Judi; his grand-children, Emily Neish (Natalia), Dr. Catherine Neish (Shawn), Nicole Levesque, Elizabeth Rose, Robert, and Sarah Peterson, and his great-granddaughter, Penelope.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Commander Henry Wilson, USN of Ridgefield and Sergeant Don Wilson of Kezar Falls, Maine.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Promisek, 694 Skyline Ridge Rd., Bridgewater 06752, a Catholic educational and environmental community where he spent many happy moments.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Services: A service of celebration will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 29, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Woodbury.

Visitation: There will be no Calling Hours