Bob Wilson '53

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Robert “Bob” Wilson ’53, whose decades of philanthropic effort on behalf of his alma mater have had a transformative effect on the UCLA community, passed away Jan. 24, surrounded by his family members and loved ones at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, California. He was 93.

“Bob Wilson was a true Bruin a great friend to many across UCLA,” Chancellor Gene Block said. “It is Bob’s warmth, compassion and heart that we will remember most of all. He left an indelible mark on our campus community and his impact here will be felt for generations to come.”

In partnership with his wife, Marion ’50, who died in December 2020, Wilson’s generosity toward UCLA spanned five decades. The Wilsons personally endowed student fellowships and scholarships, funded a lounge for UCLA medical students, and made many other financial contributions to units across the campus.

Wilson's compassion and generosity took many forms and was not limited to the UCLA community. In 2018, when the Camp Fire ravaged the town of Paradise, California, leaving many students homeless, “I felt terrible for them,” Wilson said in an interview with The Washington Post. “I couldn’t stop thinking, 'How can I help?’”

So, as reported by the Post, "he took out his checkbook and wrote a $1,000 check — then another and another and another — 1,085 of them in all. He wrote one for each student, teacher, administrator, custodian and bus driver from Paradise High School. And he delivered them personally."

Wilson served as president of the UCLA Foundation from 1992 to 1994 and as its chairman from 1994 to 1996. He made his first gift to the university in 1968 in support of kidney transplant research and went on to lead UCLA’s first multi-billion dollar fundraising effort, Campaign UCLA, which concluded in 2005, generated more than $3 billion of philanthropic investments and was, at that time, the largest and most successful fund-raising endeavor in the history of higher education.

The Wilsons’ leadership gift to Campaign UCLA benefitted the School of Dentistry, the College of Letters and Science, and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Bob’s association with the School of Dentistry began in the 1980s when he spearheaded a fund-raising drive that enabled construction of the Wilson-Jennings-Bloomfield UCLA Venice Dental Center. A portion of their gift to UCLA was used for expansion of the center, which provides low-cost dental care to underserved communities.

Wilson once again played a major role in the Centennial Campaign, which concluded in December 2019, and the Pauley Pavilion renovation, which concluded in 2012. He was honored by UCLA with the 1995 University Service Award, the 2002 Edward A. Dickson Alumnus of the Year Award and, along with Marion, the 2006 UCLA Medal.  In 2000, the area at the base of Janss steps was designated “Wilson Plaza.”

In presenting the Wilsons the UCLA Medal, Chancellor Albert Carnesale said, “Through decades of leadership, service and generosity, Bob and Marion Wilson have created a legacy at UCLA that will further the university’s mission of teaching, research and public service for generations.”

In addition to their philanthropy benefitting UCLA, the Wilsons were especially dedicated to Colonial Williamsburg for more than 30 years and, in 2002, the organization presented them with its most prestigious award, the Churchill Bell, first given to Winston Churchill in 1947. Additionally, Bob provided generous financial support to Palomar College, Palomar Mountain State Park, and many venues in his hometown, including his high school’s stadium, Escondido Boys and Girls Club Play Field, Escondido Charitable Foundation, Escondido History Center and Escondido Alumni Cougar Athletic Club. The Escondido History Center named him an Escondido Forever Legend in 2019.

Wilson was born on Jan. 23, 1929, in Escondido, California, to Wilma and Albert Wilson, the second of their five children. Along with his fraternal twin brother, Bill, he went to a one-room school in Escondido before moving on to play football for his beloved Escondido High. He was a passionate sports fan, especially favoring UCLA basketball and football.

After a brief stint serving his country in Korea, he graduated from UCLA and the following year, 1954, married his lifelong partner, Marion, with whom he had five sons. The Wilsons resided in Los Angeles until 2002, when they switched their primary residence to a newly completed home in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

Wilson was an executive with Los Angeles–based companies — Duckett-Wilson Development Company and Duckett-Wilson Investment Company — that develop, own and manage shopping centers and other real estate projects in California, Colorado and Las Vegas. He also was a partner in a chain of nine Fish Market seafood restaurants, including three in the San Diego and Del Mar areas.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Marion. He is survived by his brother Martin, his five sons (Dennis, Tom, Greg, David and Ric), his five daughters-in-law (MaryAnn, Paula, Nancy, Brigid and Tandy), and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Read the UCLA Newsroom “in memoriam” tribute and the San Diego Union-Tribune obituary on Legacy.com.