Robert Wilkins

Robert Gene Wilkins August 5, 1956 — January 29, 2012 Tromping through the pasture as a kid to bring the cows home was never Rob’s favorite activity, but something about walking the land got into his blood, and in later years he became an avid hunter of arrowheads and other artifacts. He collected books and stories about the area’s early inhabitants almost as avidly as he collected their tools, whether it was flint and antlers or gun metal and coins. Walking the pasture turned into walking the halls, first as a maintenance worker at the Miltonvale Schools, then at the Dickinson County Courthouse in Abilene where he worked for the past 13 years, polishing floors, shoveling snow, ordering supplies, scheduling contractors, and making repairs. Having the place to himself before anyone else arrived provided ample time to devise clever pranks, and many were the workers who found themselves laughing with him as they learned who was behind their temporary troubles. Hauling a load to the dump often meant hauling something back home, something he could use on the next trip to cut hedge or something that was just too interesting to leave behind. Arrowheads or treasures, the hunt was as good as the find. Soon after moving to "The Golden Spur" Rob set up a studio where he could do glass etching. He enjoyed giving the framed pieces as gifts, and sold many etchings that were commissioned for special occasions. He also knew his way around the kitchen and made a mean pot of chili, exceptional ham and beans and when he was working the grill he knew just how much to burn a hot dog to please his mother. On January 3, 2012, Rob celebrated twenty-two years of sobriety, a life change that was commemorated each year with a letter in the Miltonvale Record. For the past four years he was also smoke-free, both victories he could claim because, he would tell anyone who would listen, he learned to “let go and let God.” Rob was born in Salina, Kansas, and grew up on a farm south of Miltonvale. He graduated from Miltonvale High School in 1974 and cherished the life-long friendships that developed with his classmates. Rob's usual greeting was "Howdy!" and he knew no stranger. His circle of friends was continually growing as he embraced family and friends with love, loyalty, and a great sense of humor. Rob's cancer was aggressive and he approached his death head-on, spending the last weeks of his life saying good-bye, expressing gratitude, and making preparations that would make his family's life easier. Survivors include his wife, Deborah Wilkins and their son Michael age 8; his mother, Peggy Wilkins; sister Linda Foster and her husband "brother Ron." Rob's step-children are: Amanda Clark, Ashley Stevenson, Rick Harrison, Jennifer Collins, Alexia Wilkins (deceased), Brandon Hay, Brian Hay, and Shawn Hay. Respect calls will be held from 5-7 PM on Thursday, February 2 at the Phelps Funeral Home in Miltonvale, Kansas. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the Miltonvale Wesleyan Church, and after the service all guests are invited to lunch in Fellowship Hall. Rob requested that memorials be given to Hospice Abilene 515 Northeast 10th Street, Abilene, KS 67410 or to an Education Fund for Michael Wilkins that will be held in trust until he graduates from high school.