January 23, 1939 – August 30, 2021
Robert William Wicklander, 82, passed peacefully on Monday, August 30, 2021. Robert was born January 23, 1939, in Anoka, Minnesota to Wayne Barlett Wicklander and Margaret Mabel Bodine.
Robert, “Bob”, was raised in Manitowoc, WI. He attended Lincoln High School and the University of Wisconsin. He met Carol Zimmer in 1958, they had two daughters Tori and Kelly. He moved his family to Friendswood, TX in 1969.
Bob started his lifelong career with Chessie System Railroad for 21 years. In 1978 he started working for Lamco as Vice President and served on the Board of Directors negotiating short and long term railroad leases. He continued to work in the transportation sector until 2003 when he retired.
Bob loved Friendswood. In addition to his long career, he was a Friendswood City Council member from 1981-1991 and was a past Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission. He also coached All Play Kids Football and Little Dribblers.
Bob was a driver at heart. He started working at a Ford garage in high school delivering cars. He then raced stock cars when he was a teen and was a loyal NASCAR fan. He carried this passion to his last job as a driver for AVIS. Bob was especially proud of his grandchildren and would brag about them to anyone and everyone who would listen.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Wayne and Margaret Wicklander and sister Judy Cleghorn.
Those left behind will greatly miss him, these are daughters, Tori Ratcliff and husband Blake, of Friendswood, TX and daughter Kelly Muraco of Austin, TX. Grandchildren: Austin Ratcliff, Alissa Ruiz and husband Matthew. Along with the dogs he loved, Belle, Daisy, Honey, Kyzer and Bailee.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 N. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, TX (281)992-7200, with Rev. Howard Huhn officiating. There is no planned reception following.
Condolences may be sent to the Wicklander family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at https://jeterfuneralhome.com/
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to one of the following:
A foundation started by Brad Keselowski to help wounded Vets at https://www.checkeredflagfoundation.org/
Friendswood United Methodist Church, care of “Alongside the Fatherless" at https://www.umc.org/
8 thoughts on “Robert William Wicklander”
Bob was a good friend of mine. He always had a laugh in him! He would always give me sound advise. We will miss him dearly.
I will miss Bob and his kindness. He was always friendly and genuine in his concern about me while I was going through family hardships. Bob was a gentleman and I am lucky to call him my friend. May he Rest in Peace..
Daddy Wicklander will be sadly missed. All our Love and Prayers to Tori, Kelly and the Wicklander Family. Sylvia, Steve & Nick Meier.
Bob and I enjoyed a great friendship while we attended several NASCAR races across the country. For me, he was the most important source for thoughtful advice on any issue, even after my work moved me away from Texas.
We will miss your smiling face Bob. Till we meet again my friend.
I worked with Wick at Avis/Budget Car Rental, he was a soft spoken and humble man, who always had an extra donut for whoever wanted it. He will be truly missed, R.I.P. Wick .
Condolences to his family. 🙏🏽
I met Bob when I was first transferred here in the Coast Guard, we have done many "road trips" together, he always had a smile on his face and was always willing to help a friend. I'll miss you Bob, people will talk about you for years, fondly of course. Hold a seat for me, I'll see you again.
Wick was a good man, a great person or reference to talk about issues with! Gave me some good advice when I was running for City Council, advice I’ll never forget! I haven’t seen him in a while, but he was always good to sit and have a beer with… RIP Wick